Mind wandering “Ahas” versus mindful reasoning: alternative routes to creative solutions
Claire M. Zedelius, Jonathan W. Schooler
Frontiers in Psychology June 17, 2015 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2015.00834 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Two studies: correlational and experimental Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Creativity Creative problem-solving Mind-wandering Construct python library Trait Cognitive psychology Function biology Psychotherapist Cognition |
| Citations | 124 |
| Key findings | Mindfulness is associated with impaired creative problem-solving when using insight but improved performance when using an analytic strategy. |
Abstract
Based on mixed results linking both mindfulness and its opposing construct mind wandering to enhanced creativity, we predicted that the relationship between mindfulness and creativity might depend on whether creative problems are approached through analytic strategy or through "insight" (i.e., sudden awareness of a solution). Study 1 investigated the relationship between trait mindfulness and compound remote associates problem solving as a function of participants' self-reported approach to each problem. The results revealed a negative relationship between mindfulness and problem-solving overall. However, more detailed analysis revealed that mindfulness was associated with impaired problem solving when approaching problems with insight, but increased problem solving when using analysis. In Study 2, we manipulated participants' problem-solving approach through instructions. We again found a negative relationship between mindfulness and creative performance in general, however, more mindful participants again performed better when instructed to approach problems analytically.