Examining associations between social anhedonia and convergent thinking using the Remote Associates Test

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Social anhedonia (SocAnh) is a predictor of schizophrenia-spectrum disorders.
• Schizophrenia-spectrum disorders are associated with increased creativity.
• The relationship between SocAnh and convergent thinking remains largely unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between social anhedonia and convergent thinking.
• To determine if SocAnh influences performance on a convergent thinking task.

Main Methods:

• Two studies were conducted with college students categorized by extreme or average levels of SocAnh.
• Participants completed the Remote Associates Test (a convergent thinking task) and measures of affect.
• A divergent thinking task was included in the second study.

Main Results:

• Individuals with high SocAnh consistently outperformed controls on the convergent thinking task.
• The enhanced convergent thinking in the SocAnh group persisted after accounting for current affect.
• No significant differences in divergent thinking were observed between groups.

Conclusions:

• Social anhedonia is associated with enhanced convergent thinking abilities.
• These findings support the link between schizophrenia-spectrum disorders and creativity.
• SocAnh may be a specific indicator of certain creative thinking enhancements.