The NASA Test that Reveals Your Creative Potential
It all began with an innocent test. NASA wanted to know how they could identify creative people. Surprisingly, that led to NASA working with George Land, a research scientist who told them that if they wanted to understand what made someone innately creative, they needed to study creativity in children.
George Land's seminal 1968 study shook the foundations of what we thought we knew about creativity. Land revealed that, as we age, our unbridled childhood creativity tends to diminish under societal pressures and constructs. Yet, even as the years have rolled by and the world has changed in unimaginable ways, the essence of Land's discovery remains as relevant as ever. Contemporary researchers have since picked up the torch, diving deeper and unveiling layers to our understanding of creativity that even Land might not have envisioned.
Land’s Pioneering Insight: The Descent from Imagination
What were Lands findings? An astonishing 98% of these kids displayed genius-level creativity. But as they grew older, their brilliance dimmed: 30% at 10 years, 12% at 15 years, and a paltry 2% in adults. Society’s constraints, it seemed, were snuffing out the inherent creative genius within (Land & Jarman, 1992).
The Brain's Electric Dance: Insights from Modern Neuroscience
Dr. Rex Jung, a contemporary neuroscientist, took the baton forward from where Land left off. He focused on how the brain physically evolves when it engages in creative endeavors. Jung’s research indicated that when we're being creative, our brain isn’t just lighting up; it's thundering with activity. He discovered that the creative brain is incredibly adaptive and engages in a complex dance between the frontal lobes and the default network, areas crucial for our daydreaming and future planning (Jung et al., 2013). This dance is akin to an ensemble of jazz musicians, improvising in harmony, feeding off one another’s energy.
Embracing Diverse Creative Processes: Beyond Just “Aha” Moments
Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman, another torchbearer in the study of creativity, emphasized the diversity of creative processes. He clarified that creativity isn’t just about those "eureka" moments but also involves persistence, daydreaming, sensitivity, and even the ability to blend seemingly incongruent ideas together (Kaufman, 2014).
This blending is evident in the works of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the acclaimed Nigerian author. Her narratives often mesh African heritage with contemporary themes, bringing to the fore a unique blend of traditional and modern. Her creativity exemplifies Kaufman's idea of merging worlds.
Creativity and Emotional Depth: The Role of Adversity
Dr. Shelley Carson from Harvard University introduces another layer. Her research points towards a tantalizing link between adversity and enhanced creative expression. Essentially, facing emotional or cognitive challenges might prime the brain to think more divergently, looking for solutions outside the norm (Carson, 2011). Think of Beethoven’s haunting compositions, all created while he grappled with profound deafness.
Harnessing Our Innate Creativity: Practical Steps Forward
While modern research illuminates the complexities of creativity and its ebb and flow across our lifespan, one truth remains unshaken: the wellspring of creativity exists within all of us. George Land's foundational research may paint a picture of diminishing creative brilliance, but the key takeaway is not the decline but the existence of this brilliance in the first place. Our task is to remember, reignite, and nurture it.
So, what can you, as a reader, do to tap into this latent creativity?
Embrace Curiosity: Channel your inner child. Remember the times when the world was filled with wonder? Every question, every pursuit, every hobby was driven by pure curiosity. Start there. Revisit old hobbies, or embrace new ones. Let curiosity be your compass.
Seek Challenges: Step out of your comfort zone. As Dr. Shelley Carson's research suggests, adversity can be a catalyst for creative thinking. Take on new tasks, embrace challenges, and use them as opportunities to think differently.
Practice Mindfulness: In today's hyper-connected world, moments of stillness are rare. Dedicate time for mindfulness exercises. Whether it's meditation, deep breathing exercises, or simple reflection, these moments can provide the mental clarity that fuels creative thought.
Collaborate and Communicate: Engage in conversations with diverse groups. Sharing ideas with people from different backgrounds can lead to the fusion of seemingly incongruent concepts, a hallmark of creative thinking.
Continuous Learning: Dive into books, attend workshops, or enroll in online courses. Exploring unfamiliar territories can lead to the formation of novel ideas and perspectives.
Creativity isn’t a distant muse or a fleeting moment of inspiration. It’s a skill, a mindset, and most importantly, it's a journey of rediscovery. The vibrant creativity of your childhood isn't gone; it's merely been overshadowed. With intent and action, we can bring it to the forefront once more. As you go about your day, remember: "Vibrant creativity doesn't need to be taught; it needs to be remembered." And most importantly, it needs to be lived.
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Land, G., & Jarman, B. (1992). Breakpoint and Beyond: Mastering the Future Today. HarperCollins.
Jung, R. E., Mead, B. S., Carrasco, J., & Flores, R. A. (2013). The structure of creative cognition in the human brain. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 7.
Kaufman, S. B. (2014). Wired to create: Unraveling the mysteries of the creative mind. Perigee.
Carson, S. H. (2011). Your creative brain: Seven steps to maximize imagination, productivity, and innovation in your life. Jossey-Bass.