American neuropsychologists from Drexel University in Philadelphia have identified brain processes called “flow state”, which is maximum concentration on a creative task, often associated with increased productivity. The study was published in the scientific journal magazine Neuropsychology (NPL).
Until recently, flow states were associated with two structures; the brain’s passive mode network (DMN) and executive control network (ECN). The DMN is responsible for daydreaming and background rumination when people are not engaged in a specific task. The ECN supports complex cognitive processes and prevents us from getting distracted.
Both networks can operate independently, but they have been shown to exhibit some level of connectivity and to interact dynamically, especially during the creative process.
Researchers have proposed two main theories about how flow states affect the brain. The first states that this is a state of hyperfocus, where ECN activity increases, forcing the DMN to focus on the task.
Alternating flow theory says that the experience a person gains in performing a task in practice creates its own neural processing network that does not require ECN control or DMN intervention.
32 jazz musicians who were asked to improvise on their instruments participated in the study. Meanwhile, the artists’ brains were scanned using an electroencephalogram.
Experienced musicians in the flow state showed reduced activity in the ECN and DMN and increased activity in regions that process auditory, visual, and motor information. This suggests that flow people “let go” or go on “autopilot” and experience less conscious control.
Moreover, experienced musicians in the flow state did not seem to rely on the DMN to generate ideas because its activity was reduced. Instead, the researchers concluded, they were using networks they had built up throughout their lives as they honed their skills—in other words, networks associated with playing and hearing the guitar.
Scientists stated that their discoveries could form the basis of new methods for generating creative ideas.
Previous scientists I learnedThat people with creative thinking enjoy idleness more.