The creative thinking cognitive process influenced by acute stress in humans: an electroencephalography study

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Neuroscience
• Psychophysiology

Background:

• Creative thinking is crucial for innovation and problem-solving.
• The neural underpinnings of how acute stress impacts creativity are not fully understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the neural mechanisms through which acute stress affects creative thinking.
• To examine the relationship between stress biomarkers and electroencephalogram (EEG) changes during creative tasks.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-six male participants completed the Alternative Uses Test (AUT) before and after the Montreal Imaging Stress Task (MIST).
• Salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels were measured as stress biomarkers.
• Electroencephalogram (EEG) was used to record brain activity, focusing on alpha power changes.

Main Results:

• Acute stress significantly increased salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase levels.
• EEG data revealed a decrease in upper-frequency alpha power post-stress, linked to attention and memory.
• Stress reduced inter-individual differences in creative performance.

Conclusions:

• Acute stress negatively impacts creative thinking, particularly in the initial cognitive stages.
• Neural changes associated with attention and memory are implicated in stress-induced creativity impairment.
• Creating relaxed environments may enhance creative output in educational and corporate settings.