Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 25, 2026
07:01
Working Memory Training for Older Participants: A Control Group Training Regimen and Initial Intellectual Functioning Assessment
Published on: September 20, 2020
Working memory benefits creative insight, musical improvisation, and original ideation through maintained
Carsten K W De Dreu1, Bernard A Nijstad, Matthijs Baas
1University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands. c.k.w.dedreu@uva.nl
Personality & Social Psychology Bulletin
|February 4, 2012
Summary
Working memory capacity (WMC) enhances creativity by enabling sustained focus and preventing mind-wandering. Higher WMC is linked to better creative performance, particularly in tasks requiring persistent element combination.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Neuroscience of Creativity
Background:
- Anecdotal evidence suggests executive functions are crucial for creativity.
- Scientific evidence directly linking working memory capacity (WMC) to creativity is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between working memory capacity (WMC) and creative performance.
- To test the hypothesis that WMC facilitates creativity through persistent, focused processing.
Main Methods:
- Four studies were conducted, employing creative insight tasks, cognitive load manipulations, and assessments of WMC.
- Time-on-task and creativity were measured in relation to WMC levels.
- Creative improvisation by cellists was analyzed based on WMC.
Main Results:
- Cognitive load impaired creative insight performance.
- High WMC individuals showed increased creativity with longer task engagement.
- WMC predicted original ideation by supporting persistent processing, not flexible processing.
Conclusions:
- Working memory capacity (WMC) is a significant predictor of creative performance.
- WMC benefits creativity by enabling sustained attention and minimizing mind wandering.
- The findings support the Dual Pathway to Creativity Model's emphasis on persistence.
Related Concept Videos
01:24Working Memory
Working memory refers to a combination of components, including short-term memory and attention, that allow an individual to hold information temporarily as we perform cognitive tasks. It is an essential cognitive function that enables the execution of complex tasks such as problem-solving, comprehension, and reasoning. Unlike short-term memory, which simply involves the storage of information for a brief period, working memory involves the active manipulation and processing of this information.
01:30Information Processing Approach
The information-processing theory of cognitive development centers on fundamental mental processes, including attention, memory, and problem-solving skills. Researchers in this field examine how cognitive abilities, such as working memory, evolve and influence children's overall development. Studies indicate that children with stronger working memory tend to excel in reading comprehension, math, and problem-solving compared to peers with less efficient memory skills. Low working memory is also...
01:19High-Level and Low-Level Awareness
Controlled processes in human consciousness represent high-alert mental states where individuals deliberately focus their attention on achieving specific goals. Controlled processes can be seen in situations like mastering new technology, where a person might become so absorbed that they ignore surrounding distractions. Such processes involve selective attention, requiring one to concentrate on particular elements of experience while disregarding others. These are governed by executive...
01:22Chunking and Rehearsal in Sensory Memory
Improving short-term memory can be achieved through techniques like chunking and rehearsal. Chunking involves organizing information into larger, more manageable units. This technique is particularly useful for information that exceeds the typical memory span of between five and nine items. For instance, logging into an online account with a password like "ta89vq0179gz" involves grouping letters and numbers into three chunks—ta89, vq01, and 79gz. It makes large amounts of information more...
01:29The Influence of Affect on Cognition
Positive affect significantly influences cognitive processes, including evaluation, memory, creativity, and social judgments. Compared to negative affect, positive emotional states promote more favorable interpretations of stimuli, cognitive flexibility, and heuristic processing. These effects highlight emotions' powerful role in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and interact with the world.Influence on Evaluation and AttributionWhen individuals experience positive affect, they are...
01:25Creative Thinking
Creative thinking encompasses innovative and unconventional methods for addressing challenges, often leading to groundbreaking solutions. Instead of focusing solely on enhancing existing systems, such as increasing smartphone battery capacity, creative thinking might inspire advancements like energy-efficient batteries or processors that minimize power consumption. This multidimensional approach underscores the importance of exploring novel pathways to innovation.
Divergent thinking is the...
Divergent thinking is the...