scholarly journals Genetic influences on creativity: an exploration of convergent and divergent thinking

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5403 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Han ◽  
Mi Zhang ◽  
Xue Feng ◽  
Guihua Gong ◽  
Kaiping Peng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Convergent Thinking ◽  
Chinese University ◽  
Remote Associates Test ◽  
New Evidence ◽  
Component Scores

Previous studies on the genetic basis of creativity have mainly focused on the biological mechanisms of divergent thinking, possibly limiting the exploration of possible candidate genes. Taking a cognition-based perspective, the present study investigated the genetic basis for both the divergent and the convergent thinking components of creativity. A total of 321 Chinese university students were recruited to complete the Guildford Unusual Using Test (UUT) for divergent thinking capability and the Remote Associates Test (RAT) for convergent thinking capability. The polymorphism of rs2576037 in KATNAL2 was related to the fluency and originality component scores of UUT, and the polymorphism of rs5993883 in COMT, rs362584 in SNAP25 was related to the RAT performance. These effects remained significant after considering the influence of age, gender and intelligence. Our results provide new evidence for the genetic basis of creativity and reveal the important role of gene polymorphisms in divergent and convergent thinking.

Media Multitasking Negatively Impacts Cognitive Flexibility

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Lopez ◽  
Joseph M Orr
Keyword(s):  
Parallel Processing ◽  
Cognitive Flexibility ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Negative Relationship ◽  
Media Multitasking ◽  
Convergent Thinking ◽  
Serial Processing ◽  
Processing Styles ◽  
Processing Abilities ◽  
Remote Associates Test

Given the prevalence of multitasking today, it is critical to understand how multitasking affects the mind. Recent studies have suggested that frequent multitaskers perform worse on tasks requiring cognitive control. Nevertheless, others have suggested that frequent multitasking may lead to an improvement of parallel processing abilities, perhaps at the expense of serial processing. The current study examined whether the degree to which a person engages in media multitasking affects the balance between serial and parallel processing styles. Moreover, we examined the idea that heavy multitaskers would be biased toward the parallel processing of tasks. For this study, parallel processing was indexed by the divergent thinking paradigm, the AUT (Alternative Uses Task), and serial processing by the convergent thinking paradigm, the RAT (Remote Associates Test). Our hypothesis was that people who frequently media multitask would display higher measures of divergent thinking, while those who media multitask to a lesser degree would in turn display higher measures of convergent thinking. 528 college students completed the Media Use Questionnaire in order to compute their Media Multitasking Inventory (MMI) score, as well as the RAT and AUT. A negative relationship between MMI score and AUT scores was found, indicating that more time spent media multitasking was associated with less divergent thinking. There was no significant effect of MMI and RAT scores. Subjects who completed the AUT online performed significantly worse than their in-person counterparts. These results suggest that the more an individual media multitasks, the poorer cognitive flexibility they command. Further, the context and environment in which these heavier media multitaskers operate in may influence their degree of cognitive flexibility.

scholarly journals Mood and Risk-Taking as Momentum for Creativity

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsutomu Harada
Keyword(s):  
Risk Taking ◽  
Creative Thinking ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Empirical Studies ◽  
Convergent Thinking ◽  
Q Learning ◽  
Positive Effects ◽  
The Face ◽  
Insight Problem Solving

This study examined the effects of mood and risk-taking on divergent and convergent thinking using a Q-learning computation model. The results revealed that while mood was not significantly related to divergent or convergent thinking (as creative thinking types), risk-taking exerted positive effects on divergent thinking in the face of negative rewards. The results were consistent with the representational change theory in insight problem solving. Although this theory accounts directly for insight, the underlying idea of going beyond current contexts and implicit constrains could be applied to creative thinking as well. The results indeed accounted for the relevance of this theory to divergent thinking. The current study is one of the first empirical studies simultaneously examining the role of mood and risk-taking in creativity. In particular, no related studies exist that took a computational approach to estimate the relevant parameters in the framework of dynamic optimization. Our Q learning model enables to distinguish and identify the different roles of mood and risk-taking in updating Q values and making decisions.

The Remote Associates Test: Divergent or Convergent Thinking?

1966 ◽  
Vol 19 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1313-1314 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ronald Taft ◽  
John R. Rossiter
Keyword(s):  
High School ◽  
High School Students ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Convergent Thinking ◽  
School Students ◽  
Remote Associates Test

The Remote Associates Test was administered in a battery of tests of convergent and divergent thinking abilities to 107 high school students. Contrary to previously reported results, it related largely to the convergent thinking measures.

Stress, Inflammation and Cancer Prognosis: New Evidence-Based Effective Treatments

2019 ◽  
Vol 13 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 150-155
Author(s):  
Y. Gidron ◽  
L. Caton ◽  
M. Reich
Keyword(s):  
Psychological Factors ◽  
Cancer Prognosis ◽  
Psychological Interventions ◽  
Evidence Based ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Biological Mechanisms ◽  
Proactive Approach ◽  
Oncology Education ◽  
New Evidence

This article introduces the general model of stress, coping and adaptation applied to cancer, and biological mechanisms mediating psychological factors and cancer prognosis. The role of the vagus nerve as a possible bridge and therapeutic target in psycho-oncology is reviewed. Finally, the effects of brief psychological interventions (e.g., stress management) on cancer prognosis are presented. Psycho-oncology education and practice need to shift to a more evidence-based proactive approach, to help cancer patients adapt and possibly improve their quality and quantity of life.

scholarly journals Investigating the Genetic Basis of Theory of Mind (ToM): The Role of Catechol-O-Methyltransferase (COMT) Gene Polymorphisms

PLoS ONE ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 7 (11) ◽  
pp. e49768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Haiwei Xia ◽  
Nan Wu ◽  
Yanjie Su
Keyword(s):  
Theory Of Mind ◽  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Comt Gene

Variations Across the Menstrual Cycle in EEG Activity During Thinking and Mental Relaxation

1999 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 163-172 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. Krug ◽  
M. Mölle ◽  
H.L. Fehm ◽  
J. Born
Keyword(s):  
Menstrual Cycle ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Spectral Power ◽  
Plasma Concentrations ◽  
Task Demands ◽  
Menstrual Phase ◽  
Convergent Thinking ◽  
Eeg Activity ◽  
Dimensional Complexity ◽  
Mental Relaxation

Abstract Previous studies have indicated: (1) peak performance on tests of divergent creative thinking during the ovulatory phase of the menstrual cycle; (2) compared to convergent analytical thinking, divergent thinking was found to be associated with a distinctly increased dimensional complexity of ongoing EEG activity. Based on these findings, we hypothesized that cortical information processing during the ovulatory phase is characterized by an increased EEG dimensionality. Each of 16 women was tested on 3 occasions: during the ovulatory phase, the luteal phase, and menses. Presence of the phases was confirmed by determination of plasma concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, and luteinizing hormone. The EEG was recorded while the women performed: (1) tasks of divergent thinking; (2) tasks of convergent thinking; and (3) during mental relaxation. In addition to EEG dimensional complexity, conventional spectral power analysis was performed. Behavioral data confirmed enhanced creative performance during the ovulatory phase while convergent thinking did not vary across cycle phases. EEG complexity was higher during divergent than convergent thought, but this difference remained unaffected by the menstrual phase. Influences of the menstrual phase on EEG activity were most obvious during mental relaxation. In this condition, women during the ovulatory phase displayed highest EEG dimensionality as compared with the other cycle phases, with this effect being most prominent over the central and parietal cortex. Concurrently, power within the alpha frequency band as well as theta power at frontal and parietal leads were lower during the luteal than ovulatory phase. EEG results indicate that task demands of thinking overrode effects of menstrual cycle. However, with a less demanding situation, an ovulatory increase in EEG dimensionality became prominent suggesting a loosening of associative habits during this phase.

Anti-Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein Encephalomyelitis and Extensive Longitudinal Transverse Myelitis Associated with Compound Heterozygous NLRP3 Missense Mutations in a Young Child

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deirdre O'Sullivan ◽  
Michael Moore ◽  
Susan Byrne ◽  
Andreas O. Reiff ◽  
Susanna Felsenstein
Keyword(s):  
Young Child ◽  
Genetic Basis ◽  
Transverse Myelitis ◽  
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis ◽  
Myelin Oligodendrocyte Glycoprotein ◽  
Compound Heterozygous ◽  
Missense Mutations ◽  
Childhood Onset

AbstractAcute disseminated encephalomyelitis in association with extensive longitudinal transverse myelitis is reported in a young child with positive anti-myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibody with heterozygous NLRP3 missense mutations; p.(Arg488Lys) and p.(Ser159Ile). This case may well present an exceptional coincidence, but may describe a yet unrecognized feature of the spectrum of childhood onset cryopyrinopathies that contribute to the understanding of the genetic basis for anti-MOG antibody positive encephalomyelitis. Based on this observation, a larger scale study investigating the role of NLRP3 and other inflammasomes in this entity would provide important pathophysiological insights and potentially novel avenues for treatment.

scholarly journals UCP 2 gene polymorphisms in obesity and diabetes, and the role of UCP 2 in cancer

FEBS Letters ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 593 (18) ◽  
pp. 2525-2534 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinran Li ◽  
Rihua Jiang ◽  
Xianling Cong ◽  
Yunfeng Zhao
Keyword(s):  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Obesity And Diabetes

scholarly journals Hyperactivated RAGE in Comorbidities as a Risk Factor for Severe COVID-19—The Role of RAGE-RAS Crosstalk

Biomolecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 876
Author(s):  
Sara Chiappalupi ◽  
Laura Salvadori ◽  
Rosario Donato ◽  
Francesca Riuzzi ◽  
Guglielmo Sorci
Keyword(s):  
Gene Polymorphisms ◽  
Renin Angiotensin System ◽  
Molecular Target ◽  
Advanced Glycation ◽  
Angiotensin System ◽  
Major Player ◽  
Glycation End Products ◽  
End Products ◽  
And Oxidative Stress

The receptor for advanced glycation-end products (RAGE) is a multiligand receptor with a role in inflammatory and pulmonary pathologies. Hyperactivation of RAGE by its ligands has been reported to sustain inflammation and oxidative stress in common comorbidities of severe COVID-19. RAGE is essential to the deleterious effects of the renin–angiotensin system (RAS), which participates in infection and multiorgan injury in COVID-19 patients. Thus, RAGE might be a major player in severe COVID-19, and appears to be a useful therapeutic molecular target in infections by SARS-CoV-2. The role of RAGE gene polymorphisms in predisposing patients to severe COVID-19 is discussed. 

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