Neural dynamics during the generation and evaluation of creative and non-creative ideas

Abstract

What are the neural dynamics that drive creative thinking? The interaction between the executive control, default mode, and salience brain networks is an important marker of individual differences in creativity. However, how these networks might be recruited dynamically during the two key components of the creative process—generation and evaluation of ideas—remains far from understood. We applied state-of-the-art network neuroscience methodologies to examine the neural dynamics related to the generation and evaluation of creative and non-creative ideas, at the whole- and brain-networks levels. Participants completed two functional magnetic resonance imaging sessions, taking place a week apart. In the first imaging session, participants generated creative or non-creative responses to common objects. In the second session, participants evaluated their own responses to the same objects. We found different dynamic patterns of neural activity across the executive control, default mode, and salience networks, highlighting the complexity of the creative process.