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On the personality, neurobiology, and cognition of creativity

Carlsson, Ingegerd LU (2005) First international conference on Creativity: A multifaceted view
Abstract
Two extreme groups of healthy male undergraduate students, either highly (n=12) or low creative (n=12), were pre-selected from a larger cohort (N= 60) by way of the Creative functioning test (Smith and Carlsson, 1990). The two groups underwent measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF). CBF was measured first during rest and during three verbal tasks (random order): Automatic speech (Auto), word fluency (FAS) and the unusual uses of objects test (Brick). The participant answered state and trait anxiety inventories after the CBF measurements. On another day, intelligence tests and a test of defense mechanisms were administered.

Calculations were made of differences in blood flow levels between the FAS and the Brick measurements in... (More)
Two extreme groups of healthy male undergraduate students, either highly (n=12) or low creative (n=12), were pre-selected from a larger cohort (N= 60) by way of the Creative functioning test (Smith and Carlsson, 1990). The two groups underwent measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF). CBF was measured first during rest and during three verbal tasks (random order): Automatic speech (Auto), word fluency (FAS) and the unusual uses of objects test (Brick). The participant answered state and trait anxiety inventories after the CBF measurements. On another day, intelligence tests and a test of defense mechanisms were administered.

Calculations were made of differences in blood flow levels between the FAS and the Brick measurements in the anterior prefrontal, fronto-temporal and superior frontal regions. In accordance with pre- diction, repeated measures-ANOVAs showed that the groups differed significantly in all three regions. The highly creative group had increases, or unchanged activity, while the low creative group had mainly decreases. The highly creative group also had higher hemispheric CBF means during rest compared to the low creative group.

The highly creative group had higher trait anxiety than the low creative group. On the intelligence tests the low creative group was superior both on logical-inductive ability and on perceptual speed, while the groups were equal on verbal and spatial tests. Logical ability was negatively correlated with anxiety.

Furthermore, the highly creative group had higher defensive variation than the low group. High defensive variability was positively correlated to the creativity test.

The results are discussed in terms of flexible interaction between complementary functions in the two hemispheres. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
host publication
[Host publication title missing]
publisher
Moscow, Russia: Institute of Psychology, Russian academy of sciences
conference name
First international conference on Creativity: A multifaceted view
conference location
Moscow, Russian Federation
conference dates
2005-09-15 - 2005-09-18
language
English
LU publication?
yes
id
e6cfe9dc-80fa-4af2-b3c5-da39d97b4888 (old id 979289)
date added to LUP
2016-04-04 09:52:36
date last changed
2018-11-21 20:55:30
@inproceedings{e6cfe9dc-80fa-4af2-b3c5-da39d97b4888,
  abstract     = {{Two extreme groups of healthy male undergraduate students, either highly (n=12) or low creative (n=12), were pre-selected from a larger cohort (N= 60) by way of the Creative functioning test (Smith and Carlsson, 1990). The two groups underwent measurements of cerebral blood flow (CBF). CBF was measured first during rest and during three verbal tasks (random order): Automatic speech (Auto), word fluency (FAS) and the unusual uses of objects test (Brick). The participant answered state and trait anxiety inventories after the CBF measurements. On another day, intelligence tests and a test of defense mechanisms were administered.<br/><br>
Calculations were made of differences in blood flow levels between the FAS and the Brick measurements in the anterior prefrontal, fronto-temporal and superior frontal regions. In accordance with pre- diction, repeated measures-ANOVAs showed that the groups differed significantly in all three regions. The highly creative group had increases, or unchanged activity, while the low creative group had mainly decreases. The highly creative group also had higher hemispheric CBF means during rest compared to the low creative group.<br/><br>
The highly creative group had higher trait anxiety than the low creative group. On the intelligence tests the low creative group was superior both on logical-inductive ability and on perceptual speed, while the groups were equal on verbal and spatial tests. Logical ability was negatively correlated with anxiety.<br/><br>
Furthermore, the highly creative group had higher defensive variation than the low group. High defensive variability was positively correlated to the creativity test.<br/><br>
The results are discussed in terms of flexible interaction between complementary functions in the two hemispheres.}},
  author       = {{Carlsson, Ingegerd}},
  booktitle    = {{[Host publication title missing]}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  publisher    = {{Moscow, Russia: Institute of Psychology, Russian academy of sciences}},
  title        = {{On the personality, neurobiology, and cognition of creativity}},
  year         = {{2005}},
}