Why Some People Are More Creative Than Others

Why Some People Are More Creative Than Others? A number of studies have identified some common factors that contribute to creativity. Diversity of experience is critical for creativity, and time and stress limit creativity. While we are born with certain kinds of brain chemicals, our environment has a profound effect on how these genes are expressed. For instance, we have learned that a person's genes may indicate a natural propensity for divergent thinking, but our environment can also play a role in our ability to express creativity.


Evidence emerging from neuroscience that links certain types of intelligence to creativity
Recent studies have revealed that individuals with certain types of intelligence are more creative than average people. It turns out that their brains have a certain chemical, called N-acetyl-aspartate, that increases their ability to be imaginative and creative. However, it seems that this creativity chemical is not necessarily associated with intelligence, as it is found in normal people, as well as in people who are extremely smart.

Diversity of experience is critical to creativity
Business leaders have begun to realize the value of diversity in increasing the overall creative potential of a project. By including different worker backgrounds in a team, a company can increase the creativity of a project by as much as seventy percent. This diversity increases the creative output by giving different workers unique experiences and personal input. In addition to being more productive, diverse teams have higher chances of capturing new markets. So, how do you incorporate diversity into your team?

Stress and time constraints dampen creativity
Research has shown that chronic stress can affect creativity. According to Rick Hanson, a California neuropsychologist and author of Just One Thing, forty percent of American workers experience chronic work-related stress. Chronic stress can affect the human creative condition, which in turn can negatively impact business. In addition to reducing productivity, chronic stress can also cause people to develop less creative ideas. The right kind of stress can boost creativity in the workplace.

Serotonin is a key neurotransmitter
Creative people may have higher levels of serotonin than average, which helps to increase their mood. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter found in the central nervous system, which controls most of our body functions. It helps blood platelets to heal wounds, encourages the formation of blood clots, and narrows the tiny arteries. Moreover, higher levels of serotonin can lead to nausea and difficulty in performing some functions.

Divergent thinking
Those who think in a divergent manner are often more creative. Divergent thinkers acknowledge the possibility that there could be multiple answers to a question. They do so by examining all possible causes, including a possible lack of an answer. Ultimately, this type of thinking leads to better ideas and more creative solutions. Here are some examples of when divergent thinking is helpful for problem solving.

Flow state
Flow state is a highly concentrated state that some people reach while working on a task. Unlike other states of consciousness, people in flow are not aware of the outside world. Their brains are laser focused on the task at hand. They do not feel stress, boredom, or distraction. As a result, they work at a high rate. The following are some of the key factors that trigger a flow state:

Stress
The effects of chronic stress on creativity have long been suspected, and it has even been suggested that stress leads to greater divergent thinking. The physiology of stress is complex, and it alters individual resources and functions. It leads to higher-order cognitive capacities to be diverted from more critical tasks, such as creativity. Additionally, chronic stress affects cognitive flexibility and task switching. Nevertheless, the relationship between stress and creative achievement is unclear.


Time constraints
Whether or not time constraints are real, they certainly foster creativity. This is especially true when people are working with a team, as it often facilitates rapid iteration of ideas. Many creatives believe that a time constraint stimulates creative thinking and increases the chances of success. Other researchers disagree, however. They note that time constraints are a byproduct of human ambition and can be both good and bad.