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Associative thinking at the core of creativity.
Roger E Beaty1, Yoed N Kenett2
1Department of Psychology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, USA.
Trends in Cognitive Sciences
|May 28, 2023
Summary
Creativity relies on associative thinking, connecting concepts in memory. New computational models help study these memory search strategies, linking associative thinking to brain systems for semantic and episodic memory.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Computational Neuroscience
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Creativity is traditionally linked to associative memory processes.
- Studying associative thinking is challenging due to limitations in modeling memory structure and retrieval.
- Recent computational models offer new ways to investigate semantic memory navigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize research on creativity and associative thinking.
- To explore computational models of semantic memory and concept association.
- To connect associative thinking to brain systems supporting memory.
Main Methods:
- Review and synthesis of cognitive, computational, and neuroscience literature.
- Analysis of computational models of semantic memory.
- Examination of associative search strategies in concept spaces.
Main Results:
- Distinctions between free- and goal-directed association are highlighted.
- The role of associative thinking in artistic creation is illustrated.
- Associative thinking is linked to brain systems for semantic and episodic memory.
Conclusions:
- Advances in computational modeling enhance the study of creativity and associative thinking.
- Associative processes are crucial for idea generation and innovation.
- Understanding the neural basis of associative memory provides new insights into creativity theories.
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