2013: 31 Days of Creativity

Incubation and Creativity

October 27, 2013

Are you looking for a boost in creativity? Before doing a spacial task, try focusing first on a verbal task (such as anagrams) or, conversely, try focusing on a spacial task (such as mental rotation) in order to boost verbal fluency and creativity. Our brains seem to literally shift when incubating on the opposite type […]

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Dual Pathway to Creativity

October 26, 2013

“The dual pathway to creativity model argues that creativity–the generation of original and appropriate ideas– is a function of cognitive flexibility and cognitive persistence.” (Nijstad, et al) Research further suggests that, while a positive mood stimulates cognitive flexibility, a negative mood stimulates persistence. So stubbornness can be positive!  But, how does that help?! Is it possible […]

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Research on the effects of task switching on creativity tests by Roda, Stojanov, and Kianfar found that interruptions and “multi-tasking” hinder creativity and do not improve creativity. Because the ability to “multi-task” is considered desirable in our culture, we can see yet another reason why creativity is on the decline. If you find yourself frustrated […]

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Research is shows that IQ is on the rise, but creative thinking scores are decreasing significantly, especially in Kindergarten-3rd graders, since 1990.  Home is a stronger influence than school for young children so it makes sense that creativity is mostly influenced at home. Psychological safety and freedom (Rogers, 1954) are two external conditions which foster […]

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“When planning and teaching, attention is generally given to cognition while the effect of mood and emotion on cognition is ignored. But students are not emotionless thinkers and the effect can make a difference to their thought. This is particularly evident when attempting to foster creative thinking.” (Newton, Douglas. “Moods, emotions, and creative thinking: A […]

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“Everybody is a genius,  but if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live it’s whole life believing that it is stupid.”  – Albert Einstein “Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn’t really do it, […]

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“Are we not irritated by experiences outside the timed lockstep of daily living? That lockstep does seem to offer surety and security to our lives. But does it really? If so, what is the life that remains? Is it not a bargain with the devil in which we ensure our survival by repressing our sense […]

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