Biological Perspectives on
Creativity
By Alicia Arnold (@alicarnold)
Not only
should the
idea of “rightbrained
creativity” be
rejected, the
idea of one
part of the
brain being
responsible
for creativity
is inaccurate
The human brain
supports different kinds
of creativity, but
different human brains
lead to different kinds
of creativity
The prefrontal cortex
contributes to creative
thinking in three ways:
1.Necessary for
judgment about an idea
or solution
1.Assists with necessary
integrations after an
insight occurs
1.Assists with idea
implementation
(Thought to be responsible for
higher cognitive functions,
including attention, perception,
memory, arousal, self-reflection
and perhaps consciousness. May
be involved in tasks requiring
musical, visual, and verbal activity.
Brain images of people listening to music show activity in different
parts of the brain. Schlaug (2001) reported there are particular
areas of the brain which show idiosyncrasies in musicians including
the motor cortex, the cerebellum and the corpus callosum.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/31/arts/music/31thom.html
“This colorful brain image is like a
map of mental speed. The bright
spaghetti structures represent the
pathways connecting different brain
cells.”
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102169531
What role
does
genetics
play?
According to researcher, Paul Thompson, PhD, the above graphic
represents inherited ability. But…
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=102169531
Research shows, we’re not stuck with the brain we inherit. The
brain is like a muscle, the more you work it the more efficient it
gets. It helps to have certain genes, but anyone can get stronger
or faster by working out.
Practice creativity and you shall become more creative.