Behavioral activation links to creativity because of increased cognitive flexibility

Abstract

Previous work suggests that trait behavioral activation may link to creativity, a possibility the authors empirically examine in this article. This research is grounded in the dual pathway to creativity model and experiments on approach orientation, and the authors propose that behavioral activation potentiates creativity when and because it facilitates global and flexible processing. Four experiments support this hypothesis and also reveal that when external cues sustain or facilitate local and bottom-up processing, trait behavioral activation negatively relates to creativity. Possible explanations and avenues for new research are discussed. © The Author(s) 2011.