Enhanced dynamic complexity in the human EEG during creative thinking

Matthias Mölle; Lisa Marshall; Werner Lutzenberger; Reinhard Pietrowsky; Horst L. Fehm; Jan Born

doi:10.1016/0304-3940(96)12539-8

Enhanced dynamic complexity in the human EEG during creative thinking

Matthias Mölle^*, Lisa Marshall, Werner Lutzenberger, Reinhard Pietrowsky, Horst L. Fehm, Jan Born

^*Corresponding author for this work

Institute of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology

University of Tubingen

104 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

This study shows that divergent thinking, considered the general process underlying creative production, can be distinguished from convergent, analytical thought based on the dimensional complexity of ongoing electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. EEG complexity over the central and posterior cortex was higher while subjects solved tasks of divergent than convergent thinking, and also higher than during mental relaxation. Over the frontal cortex, EEG complexity was comparable during divergent thinking and mental relaxation, but reduced during convergent thinking. Results indicate that the basic process underlying the generation of novel ideas expresses itself in a strong increase in the EEG's complexity, reflecting higher degrees of freedom in the competitive interactions among cortical neuron assemblies. Frontocortical EEG complexity being comparable with that during mental relaxation, speaks for a loosened attentional control during creative thinking.

Original language	English
Journal	Neuroscience Letters
Volume	208
Issue number	1
Pages (from-to)	61-64
Number of pages	4
ISSN	0304-3940
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3940(96)12539-8
Publication status	Published - 12.04.1996

Funding

We thank T. Elbert, H. Petsche and W.S. Pritchard for helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript and A. Otterbein for technical assistance. Supported by the DFG (grant to J.B. and H.L.F.).

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being

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10.1016/0304-3940(96)12539-8

Cite this

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title = "Enhanced dynamic complexity in the human EEG during creative thinking",

abstract = "This study shows that divergent thinking, considered the general process underlying creative production, can be distinguished from convergent, analytical thought based on the dimensional complexity of ongoing electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. EEG complexity over the central and posterior cortex was higher while subjects solved tasks of divergent than convergent thinking, and also higher than during mental relaxation. Over the frontal cortex, EEG complexity was comparable during divergent thinking and mental relaxation, but reduced during convergent thinking. Results indicate that the basic process underlying the generation of novel ideas expresses itself in a strong increase in the EEG's complexity, reflecting higher degrees of freedom in the competitive interactions among cortical neuron assemblies. Frontocortical EEG complexity being comparable with that during mental relaxation, speaks for a loosened attentional control during creative thinking.",

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AU - Lutzenberger, Werner

AU - Pietrowsky, Reinhard

AU - Fehm, Horst L.

AU - Born, Jan

N1 - Funding Information: We thank T. Elbert, H. Petsche and W.S. Pritchard for helpful comments on an earlier version of this manuscript and A. Otterbein for technical assistance. Supported by the DFG (grant to J.B. and H.L.F.).

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N2 - This study shows that divergent thinking, considered the general process underlying creative production, can be distinguished from convergent, analytical thought based on the dimensional complexity of ongoing electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. EEG complexity over the central and posterior cortex was higher while subjects solved tasks of divergent than convergent thinking, and also higher than during mental relaxation. Over the frontal cortex, EEG complexity was comparable during divergent thinking and mental relaxation, but reduced during convergent thinking. Results indicate that the basic process underlying the generation of novel ideas expresses itself in a strong increase in the EEG's complexity, reflecting higher degrees of freedom in the competitive interactions among cortical neuron assemblies. Frontocortical EEG complexity being comparable with that during mental relaxation, speaks for a loosened attentional control during creative thinking.

AB - This study shows that divergent thinking, considered the general process underlying creative production, can be distinguished from convergent, analytical thought based on the dimensional complexity of ongoing electroencephalographic (EEG) activity. EEG complexity over the central and posterior cortex was higher while subjects solved tasks of divergent than convergent thinking, and also higher than during mental relaxation. Over the frontal cortex, EEG complexity was comparable during divergent thinking and mental relaxation, but reduced during convergent thinking. Results indicate that the basic process underlying the generation of novel ideas expresses itself in a strong increase in the EEG's complexity, reflecting higher degrees of freedom in the competitive interactions among cortical neuron assemblies. Frontocortical EEG complexity being comparable with that during mental relaxation, speaks for a loosened attentional control during creative thinking.

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Enhanced dynamic complexity in the human EEG during creative thinking

Abstract

Funding

UN SDGs

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