EEG Research on Creative Thinking
We investigate brain processes involved in creative problem solving, among other methods, using electroencephalography (EEG), which offers high temporal resolution. This reveals that creative thinking is associated with increased alpha activity, i.e., cortical oscillations in the range of 8-12 Hz in frontal and right-parietal areas. Alpha activity is linked, for example, to an internal focus of attention, which is central to imagination (see also our work on eye movements).
Further reading:
- Benedek, M., Bergner, S., Könen, T., Fink, A., & Neubauer, A. C. (2011). EEG alpha synchronization is related to top-down control in convergent and divergent thinking. Neuropsychologia, 49, 3505-3511. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2011.09.004
- Ceh, S. M., Annerer-Walcher, S., Körner, C., Rominger, C., Kober, S. E., Fink, A., & Benedek, M. (2020). Neurophysiological indicators of internal attention: An EEG─eye-tracking co-registration study. Brain and Behavior, 10, e01790. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1790
- Fink, A., & Benedek, M. (2014). EEG alpha power and creative ideation. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 44, 111-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.12.002
MRT-Research on Creative Thinking
Another key neuroimaging method is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which enables studies with high spatial resolution. MRI studies have demonstrated the significant role of memory and control processes, which is reflected, for example, in the coupling of the Default Network and the Executive Control Network. In general, it can be said that creative thinking does not occur solely in the right hemisphere, but that practically all brain regions are involved in it.
Selected further reading:
- Benedek, M., Bergner, S., Könen, T., Fink, A., & Neubauer, A. C. (2011). EEG alpha synchronization is related to top-down control in convergent and divergent thinking. Neuropsychologia, 49, 3505-3511. doi:10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2011.09.004
- Ceh, S. M., Annerer-Walcher, S., Körner, C., Rominger, C., Kober, S. E., Fink, A., & Benedek, M. (2020). Neurophysiological indicators of internal attention: An EEG─eye-tracking co-registration study. Brain and Behavior, 10, e01790. https://doi.org/10.1002/brb3.1790
- Fink, A., & Benedek, M. (2014). EEG alpha power and creative ideation. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews, 44, 111-123. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2012.12.002
