Imagine a tiny creature called a nematode worm. It’s transparent, only about 1mm long, and has a simple nervous system. Let’s call this worm Steve. Even though Steve is small and has just 383 brain cells, he shows a basic form of curiosity. Instead of just following food scents, Steve explores his surroundings, as if he’s eager to discover new things. Now, compare this to the human brain, which has a whopping 86 billion neurons!
Just like Steve, our brains are curious too, but on a much grander scale. Our quest for new experiences has driven us to innovate and create amazing things. This creativity is thanks to the unique structure of our brains. But what exactly makes our brains so creative?
Our brains are made up of 86 billion neurons, organized in a special way. In most animals, neurons that sense the environment are directly connected to those that react to it. However, in humans, there are many more connections between these neurons than necessary for basic tasks. These extra connections form complex networks that generate random and spontaneous thoughts.
Scientists are discovering how these random thoughts can transform into creative ideas. A study from 2016 found that creativity involves two main brain networks working together. One network generates spontaneous thoughts, while the other, known as the executive control center, manages everything else. When we come up with new ideas, we start with a mix of random thoughts, which are then refined by the executive control. This process is especially strong in professional artists when they plan their artwork.
Research shows that no single part of the brain is solely responsible for creativity. Instead, creativity arises from many processes interacting across large brain networks. A new theory suggests these networks perform three key functions: they change how we see things, challenge our expectations, and combine different ideas.
Your brain is buzzing with great ideas, just waiting to be discovered. This is the first part of a three-part series on creativity. Next, we’ll explore whether it’s possible to become more creative. If we all have this incredible ability in our brains, why are some people more creative than others?
Imagine a creature like Steve, the curious worm, but with a twist. Design your own creature with unique features and a simple nervous system. Describe how it explores its environment and what makes it curious. Share your creation with the class and discuss how curiosity can lead to creativity.
Gather in small groups and start with a random word or idea. Use the process described in the article to transform these random thoughts into a creative concept. Present your final idea to the class and explain how you refined it using the executive control network.
Create an art piece that represents the complex networks in the human brain. Use different colors and materials to show how neurons connect and interact. Display your artwork and explain how these connections contribute to creativity.
In groups, role-play the different brain networks involved in creativity. Assign roles such as the spontaneous thought generator and the executive control center. Act out how these networks collaborate to produce a creative idea, and discuss the importance of each role.
Start a creativity journal where you jot down random thoughts and ideas. Over time, try to develop these into creative projects or solutions. Reflect on how your brain’s networks might be working together to enhance your creativity.
This little creature is a nematode worm—it’s transparent, about 1mm in length, and one of the simplest animals with a nervous system. Its name is Steve. Steve exhibits some interesting behavior; he doesn’t just follow food scents but also thoroughly explores his environment, as if he’s curious about what else is out there. This worm demonstrates a basic form of curiosity, even though he has only 383 brain cells or neurons, compared to the 86 billion neurons in the human brain.
Your brain is also curious and constantly seeks new experiences. However, unlike a worm, our desire for novelty has led us to innovate and create. Our high levels of creativity are attributed to the unique structure of our active brains.
So, what exactly makes your brain so creative? This mass of 86 billion neurons is organized in a special way. Generally, one group of neurons senses the environment, while another group reacts to it. In most animal brains, there’s a direct pathway from the sensing neurons to the acting neurons. In the human brain, however, there are many connections between the two—far more than necessary for essential tasks. These extra neurons create tangled networks that generate random, spontaneous thoughts.
Researchers are beginning to understand how these random thoughts can evolve into creative ideas. A 2016 study found that creativity seems to rely on the collaboration of two competing brain networks: one that generates spontaneous thoughts and the executive control center that manages everything else. To produce new ideas, we start with a pool of random, free-flowing thoughts, which are then evaluated by the executive control. When participants were asked to plan an artwork, the cooperation between these two networks increased, with a stronger effect observed in professional artists.
Virtually all other research supports a similar conclusion: no single area of the brain is solely responsible for creative thought. Instead, many interacting processes across large-scale brain networks work together to generate great ideas. A new theory suggests that these brain networks perform three functions: they alter our perceptions, challenge our expectations, and combine different concepts.
Your active brain is filled with great ideas just waiting to be realized. This is the first part of a three-part series on creativity. Next, we will explore whether it’s possible to become more creative. If we all possess this remarkable capability in our brains, why are some individuals more creative than others?
Creativity – The ability to generate new and original ideas or solutions. – In biology class, students used their creativity to design an experiment that tested the effects of sunlight on plant growth.
Neurons – Specialized cells in the nervous system that transmit information through electrical and chemical signals. – Neurons in the brain communicate with each other to help us process thoughts and emotions.
Brain – The organ in the body that serves as the center of the nervous system, responsible for processing sensory information and controlling behavior. – The human brain is capable of storing vast amounts of information and is essential for learning and memory.
Curiosity – A strong desire to learn or know more about something. – Her curiosity about how animals adapt to their environments led her to study biology in college.
Ideas – Thoughts or concepts that come from creative thinking or imagination. – During the group project, everyone shared their ideas on how to present the findings of their biology research.
Thoughts – Mental processes that involve thinking, reasoning, and reflecting. – His thoughts on the impact of pollution on ecosystems were insightful and sparked a lively discussion in class.
Networks – Interconnected systems or groups, often referring to the connections between neurons in the brain. – The brain’s networks are crucial for processing information and enabling complex behaviors.
Explore – To investigate or study something in detail to learn more about it. – In the lab, students were encouraged to explore different methods of extracting DNA from plant cells.
Potential – The capacity to develop or achieve something in the future. – The potential for new medical treatments lies in understanding the genetic makeup of diseases.
Research – The systematic investigation into and study of materials and sources to establish facts and reach new conclusions. – Conducting research on animal behavior helps scientists understand how species interact with their environments.
