Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 29, 2026

The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups
Published on: May 13, 2022
Cultural Evolutionary Perspectives on Creativity and Human Innovation
Laurel Fogarty1, Nicole Creanza2, Marcus W Feldman2
1Department of Genetics, Evolution and Environment, University College London, London, UK; CoMPLEX, University College London, London, UK; Department of Biology, Serra Mall, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Abstract:
Cultural traits originate through creative or innovative processes, which might be crucial to understanding how culture evolves and accumulates. However, because of its complexity and apparent subjectivity, creativity has remained largely unexplored as the dynamic underpinning of cultural evolution. Here, we explore the approach to innovation commonly taken in theoretical studies of cultural evolution and discuss its limitations. Drawing insights from cognitive science, psychology, archeology, and even animal behavior, it is possible to generate a formal description of creativity and to incorporate a dynamic theory of creativity into models of cultural evolution. We discuss the implications of such models for our understanding of the archaeological record and the history of hominid culture.
Related Concept Videos
Criticisms of the Evolutionary Perspective
Evolutionary psychology provides one explanation for these findings, suggesting...
Evolutionary Psychology
Creative Thinking
Divergent thinking is the...
Cognitive Learning
E. C. Tolman's theory of purposive behavior emphasizes that much behavior is goal-directed. He argued that to understand behavior, we must look at the entire sequence of actions leading to a goal. For instance, high school students study hard, not just due to past reinforcement but also to achieve the goal of getting into a good college.
Tolman introduced the idea that behavior is influenced by...
Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Cultural Influences on Personality
