Just Open Your Mind? A Randomized, Controlled Study on the Effects of Meditation on Creativity

Frontiers in Psychology

Olga Shcherbakova¹  Iana Bashmakova² 

[1] Department of General Psychology, Faculty of Psychology, Saint Petersburg State University, Saint Petersburg, Russia;null;

关键词: creativity;    meditation;    cognitive flexibility;    metaphor production;    cognitive control;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2021.663881

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Creativity is a crucial prerequisite for innovation, successful problem solving, and self-expression, but how do we affect creative thinking in a positive way? The present study investigated the effects of open monitoring meditation (OMM) on creativity. We proposed that OMM will benefit creativity in metaphor production by cognitive flexibility (CF) enhancement. In the main study, participants were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: meditation, active, and passive controls. The first two groups performed an audio-guided task (real meditation or a narrative on house plants) for 2 weeks, and the third one had no task. Pre- and post-tests included measures of metaphor production, CF, state, sustained attention, attention shifting, and intelligence. We found no significant intra- or intergroup differences that would suggest OMM effects on creativity. Further, no links were found between measures of metaphor creativity and CF. Findings reveal potential challenges of using meditation as a cognitive enhancement tool. Methodological issues concerning meditation research, as well as creativity and CF measures, are discussed.

【 授权许可】

CC BY