Creative thinking is a complex cognitive process that helps in generating useful solutions and innovative ideas. Creative thinking has three aspects which are 1) defining the focus, 2) structure for creative thinking and 3) evaluation and implementation. It includes abilities like the generation of novel associations, and perspectives and combining existing information which reconfigures the already present concepts and creates new concepts.
The sensory organs receive and transmit information. This process of receiving and transmitting information is referred to as sensory input. Individuals process this information and incorporate it in the mental representations.
Impact of sensory inputs on creative thinking
The research was conducted on sensory input and creative thinking. The study concentrated on the five vital senses i.e., visual, auditory, olfactory, taste and tactile. Research infers that sensory input has a notable impact on several aspects of creative thinking. Study suggests that different sensory stimuli activate various cognitive processes and neural mechanisms. These inputs may influence the way a person perceives, processes, and generates information and ideas.
Exposing to visual stimulus promotes enhancement in cognitive flexibility, divergent thinking, and idea generation. In the same way, activation of the brain’s language, music processing, enhances cognitive fluency, etc., stimulates creative thinking when exposed to auditory input. Other senses like olfactory, taste and tactile input also influence creative thinking. Emotional and associative memories, promotion of mental imagery and visualization, facilitation of ideation and problem-solving skills evokes creative thinking.
Research infers that colors also have a significant role in creative thinking. For example, blue light enhances creative thinking, whereas red light diminishes creative thinking. Even visual forms like shapes and lines also have an impact on creative thinking. Studies also show that ambient odors facilitate problem-solving skills. According to studies, tactile experiences stimulate various parts of the brain and facilitate divergent thinking.
Power of Creative Thinking
Creative thinking is a complex cognitive process that helps in generating useful solutions and innovative ideas. It has three aspects: defining the focus, structure for creative thinking, and evaluation and implementation. Research has found that sensory input has a significant impact on several aspects of creative thinker, such as enhancement in cognitive flexibility, divergent thinking, idea generation, emotional and associative memories, promotion of mental imagery and visualization, facilitation of ideation and problem-solving skills, and stimulation of various parts of the brain and facilitation of divergent thinking.
