Consistent neural evidence to support novelty and appropriateness processing for creative thinking: a coordinated
Jiabao Lin1, Yuanyun He1, Siying Zhang1
1Department of Psychology, School of Public Health and Management, Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, 510006, Guangzhou, China.
Brain Structure & Function
|May 29, 2026
Summary
This study reveals distinct brain regions for novelty and appropriateness in creative thinking. Novelty processing involves areas like the fusiform gyrus, while appropriateness engages the superior occipital gyrus, clarifying neural bases of creativity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Creative thinking is defined by novelty and appropriateness.
- Prior research has not clearly identified general brain mechanisms for these two core features of creativity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify distinct neural activity associated with novelty and appropriateness in creative thinking.
- To elucidate the general brain bases underlying these two key components of creativity.
Main Methods:
- Utilized activation likelihood estimation (ALE) meta-analysis.
- Conducted separate meta-analyses for novelty (40 studies) and appropriateness (15 studies).
- Performed contrast and conjunction analyses to compare neural patterns.
Main Results:
- Novelty processing engaged regions including the fusiform gyrus, parahippocampal gyrus, precuneus, inferior parietal lobule, precentral gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and middle frontal gyrus.
- Appropriateness processing involved the superior occipital gyrus, middle temporal gyrus, anterior cingulate cortex, and medial frontal gyrus.
- Distinct neural networks were identified for novelty and appropriateness.
Conclusions:
- Provides robust evidence for independent neural roles supporting novelty and appropriateness in creative thinking.
- Proposes a novel dual model for understanding the interaction of these brain regions in creative thought.
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