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By conceptual expansion, one might think beyond this definition and imagine a paperclip as something else-such as a tool to pry open the battery compartment of a wristwatch. For instance, a paperclip is designed to hold papers together. The key to being creative under these conditions is conceptual expansion, or the ability to loosen the boundaries of concepts. Research suggests that when people invent alien creations based on specific Earth examples, the creations are rated as less original compared to those not inspired by specific examples. For instance, if asked to invent an animal or fruit that might exist on another planet, most people would start by thinking of a typical animal or fruit on Earth and then modify it somewhat into an “alien” version. Similarly, knowledge of the world can stunt one’s ability to imagine it differently. The ability to overcome recently presented information is therefore essential to creative thinking. When we look to a prior model or example for inspiration, we may actually become stuck: designers refer to this as “ fixation.” In creative generation research, when participants are given examples before a task that requires them to invent something new, such as a new toy, their inventions tend to incorporate aspects of the examples-and thus are less novel. Prior knowledge can be an obstacle to creativity. Together with previous research, these new findings link ADHD to all three elements of the creative cognition trio.
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In a new study, college students with ADHD scored higher than non-ADHD peers on two tasks that tapped conceptual expansion and the ability to overcome knowledge constraints. Previous research has established that individuals with ADHD are exceptionally good at divergent thinking tasks, such as inventing creative new uses for everyday objects, and brainstorming new features for an innovative cell phone device. Divergent thinking, or the ability to think of many ideas from a single starting point, is a critical part of creative thinking. Three aspects of creative cognition are divergent thinking, conceptual expansion and overcoming knowledge constraints. And, indeed, ADHD may have negative consequences for academic achievement, employment performance and social relationships.īut ADHD may also bring with it an advantage: the ability to think more creatively. It is known as a neurological disorder, marked by distractibility, impulsivity and hyperactivity, which begins in childhood and persists in adults.
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Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is typically described by the problems it presents.
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