There is a common misconception that only certain individuals “have what it takes” to be creative and the rest of us are destined to lack creativity. However, a review of the relevant neurological and cognitive literatures suggests otherwise- that creative thinking is rooted in everyday cognitive mechanisms and processes. This chapter provides an overview of the neurological and cognitive bases of creativity, with a focus on the role of the pre-frontal cortex and inhibitory control in the creative process. The implication of the findings discussed in this chapter is that, although some people engage in more creative processes than others, we are all equipped with a brain that is complex enough for us to think creatively.
Cognitive mechanisms underlying the creative process
