PI: Prof. Allan Reiss

Abstract

The overarching goals of this research are to ascertain the long-term stability of brain and behavioral effects from creative capacity training, and to determine whether baseline brain, cognitive and personality features predict short and long-term response to such training.  This study will permit a comprehensive analysis of the rich multi-dimensional dataset (cognition, behavior, personality, brain structure, brain function, brain connectivity) captured during the initial study period. In addition, to ascertain the stability of brain and behavioral changes occurring in response to creativity capacity training from the first study period, we will reexamine 30 of the original participants one year later, one-half of whom will have received a creativity “booster” session. All 30 of these return participants will receive the full battery of brain imaging and behavioral assessments utilized in the first study period. Key questions include:

• Analysis of rich multi-dimensional data from first year (cognition, behavior, personality, brain structure, function and connectivity):
  What are the associations between changes in brain structure, function and connectivity (“wiring”) and performance on key cognitive, personality and behavioral assessments?
• Long-term stability of brain and behavioral effects resulting from initial creative capacity training:
  Does long-term stability of effects over time require “booster” sessions?

New findings on the brain basis and sustainability of creative capacity and design thinking skills will provide completely unique information to the field. This information has the potential to profoundly influence our understanding of human brain and behavior links underlying design thinking during the phenomenon of innovation.