The Search for Creativity

While trying to find the source of creativity in the brain, researchers from USC have discovered that the left hemisphere has a more critical role in creative thinking than previously thought

Article: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/03/120305132438.htm

Image: Google Images

Until recently, creativity was thought to reside in the right side of the brain while the left side dealt more with reason and logic. However, Aziz-Zadeh’s research group conducted a study which found that while the right does most of the creative work, it gets some help from the other half. This group studied the way in which the brain does visual creative tasks. Their findings are supported by previous studies on musical improv and the brain. Both hemispheres are needed to complete creative tasks. The research team used fMRIs to scan brains of visually creative architecture students as they completed spatial processing and creative tasks. During the creative task, the left hemisphere lit up more than during the noncreative task. The right brain did most of the work, but the left brain provided vital support. This team plans to continue its research, looking at how the brain handles different types of creativity, comparing and contrasting each.

Science is continually unveiling more and more about how the human body, especially the brain, works. While much remains a mystery to us, we are constantly searching for more information about ourselves. This study helps us grasp a more complete understanding of where are creativity comes from and how our brain works to create wonderful works of art. The more we know about ourselves, the more we can understand about each other. Studies such as this get us closer to knowing how we function and what makes us think and act the way we do.

I find all studies about the brain fascinating. It is such a complex organ and we still have so much to learn. We are constantly looking for new discoveries in the depths of the ocean and outer space, but as we look so far outside ourselves, our own bodies remain a mystery. Biology was never my favorite subject in school. I often got bored labeling diagrams of frogs and learning about the detailed workings of cells. However, the brain has always intrigued me. Each new piece of information uncovers more unanswered questions. While I rely heavily on logic during my every day live, I also consider myself a pretty creative person. This study allows me to see how the two sides of my brain work together to allow me to create art, or something close to it.