EEG complexity and performance measures of creative thinking

Matthias Mölle*, Lisa Marshall, Britta Wolf, Horst L. Fehm, Jan Born

*Corresponding author for this work
105 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The electroencephalogram (EEG) was used because of its dimensional complexity to establish a differentiation of divergent versus convergent thought, considered fundamental modes of cortical processing. In 28 men, the EEG was recorded while solving tasks of divergent and convergent thinking and during mental relaxation. The EEG during divergent thought was compared between subjects achieving high versus low performance scores on this type of task. The dimensional complexity of the EEG was greater during divergent thinking than during convergent thinking. While solving tasks of divergent thinking, subjects with high performance scores had a lower EEG dimension than did subjects with low scores, in particular over frontal cortical areas. The changes were not reflected in single frequency bands of conventional EEG analysis. Based on Hebb's view of neuron assemblies as functional processing units, the higher EEG complexity during divergent than convergent thinking could be the result of the concurrent activation of a greater number of independently oscillating processing units.

Original languageEnglish
JournalPsychophysiology
Volume36
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)95-104
Number of pages10
ISSN0048-5772
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 01.1999

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'EEG complexity and performance measures of creative thinking'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this