The cognitive neuroscience of creativity: a critical review
Abstract
Cognitive neuroscience studies of creativity have appeared with increasing frequently in recent years. Yet to date, no comprehensive and critical review of these studies has yet been published. The first part of this article presents a quick overview of the 3 primary methodologies used by cognitive neuroscientists: electroencephalography (EEG), positron emission tomography (PET), and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). The second part provides a comprehensive review of cognitive neuroscience studies of creativity-related cognitive processes. The third part critically examines these studies; the goal is to be extremely clear about exactly what interpretations can appropriately be made of these studies. The conclusion provides recommendations for future research collaborations between creativity researchers and cognitive neuroscientists.
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Recent literature reviews have been largely inconclusive on the brain basis of creative thought.
“Recent literature reviews have been largely inconclusive on the brain basis of creative thought (Arden et al., 2010, Dietrich and Kanso, 2010, Sawyer, 2011), raising questions about whether creativity can be isolated to discrete regions in the brain (Abraham, 2013, Jung et al., 2013).”
From Creativity and the default network: A functional connectivity analysis of the creative brain at rest (2014) · cites this paper as Sawyer, 2011
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“Recent literature reviews have been largely inconclusive on the brain basis of creative thought (Arden, Chavez, Grazioplene, & Jung, 2010; Dietrich & Kanso, 2010; Sawyer, 2011), raising questions about whether creativity can be isolated to discrete regions in the brain (Abraham, 2013; Jung, Mead, Carrasco, & Flores, 2…”
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- Authors
- Sawyer, K.
- Venue
- Creativity Research Journal
- Publisher
- Informa UK Limited
- Published
- 2011-04
- Volume
- 23
- Issue
- 2
- Pages
- 137-154
- ISSN
- 1040-0419 (ISSN-L)
- 1532-6934
- OpenAlex
- W2126953783
- Cited by
- 274
- References
- 4
- Citations by year
- 2026: 12 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 19 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 20 · 2021: 14 · 2020: 23 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 31 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 21 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 20 · 2013: 8 · 2012: 10
- FWCI
- 16.06
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Creativity Research Journal (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Experimental and Cognitive Psychology › Creativity in Education and Neuroscience
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
- Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neurobiology of Language and Bilingualism
- Keywords
- creativity, cognitive neuroscience of creativity, neuroimaging methodology, EEG, positron emission tomography, functional MRI, interdisciplinary research collaboration
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