Hemispheric connectivity and the visual–spatial divergent-thinking component of creativity

Background/hypothesis

Divergent thinking is an important measurable component of creativity. This study tested the postulate that divergent thinking depends on large distributed inter- and intra-hemispheric networks. Although preliminary evidence supports increased brain connectivity during divergent thinking, the neural correlates of this characteristic have not been entirely specified. It was predicted that visuospatial divergent thinking would correlate with right hemisphere white matter volume (WMV) and with the size of the corpus callosum (CC).

Methods

Volumetric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) analyses and the Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) were completed among 21 normal right-handed adult males.

Results

TTCT scores correlated negatively with the size of the CC and were not correlated with right or, incidentally, left WMV.

Conclusions

Although these results were not predicted, perhaps, as suggested by Bogen and Bogen (1988), decreased callosal connectivity enhances hemispheric specialization, which benefits the incubation of ideas that are critical for the divergent-thinking component of creativity, and it is the momentary inhibition of this hemispheric independence that accounts for the illumination that is part of the innovative stage of creativity. Alternatively, decreased CC size may reflect more selective developmental pruning, thereby facilitating efficient functional connectivity.     

Enhanced divergent thinking and creativity in musicians: a behavioral and near-infrared spectroscopy study

Empirical studies of creativity have focused on the importance of divergent thinking, which supports generating novel solutions to loosely defined problems. The present study examined creativity and frontal cortical activity in an externally-validated group of creative individuals (trained musicians) and demographically matched control participants, using behavioral tasks and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Experiment 1 examined convergent and divergent thinking with respect to intelligence and personality. Experiment 2 investigated frontal oxygenated and deoxygenated hemoglobin concentration changes during divergent thinking with NIRS. Results of Experiment 1 indicated enhanced creativity in musicians who also showed increased verbal ability and schizotypal personality but their enhanced divergent thinking remained robust after co-varying out these two factors. In Experiment 2, NIRS showed greater bilateral frontal activity in musicians during divergent thinking compared with nonmusicians. Overall, these results suggest that creative individuals are characterized by enhanced divergent thinking, which is supported by increased frontal cortical activity.     

浅论《周易》思维方式的诗性特点

诗性思维不具有清晰的、严格的逻辑形式,它是一种与知性思维异质的思维方式。这种思维方式的核心特征即是整体性、不确定性以及意象性。《周易》的思维方式典型地具有诗性特点,并对中国传统文化产生了重要影响,使之具有了不同于西方文化的特色。     

Autonomy,free speech and automatic behaviour

One of the strongest defences of free speech holds that autonomy requires the protection of speech. In this paper I examine five conditions that autonomy must satisfy. I survey recent research in social psychology regarding automatic behaviour, and a challenge to autonomy is articulated. I argue that a plausible strategy for neutralising some of the autonomy-threatening automatic responses consists in avoiding the exposure to the environmental features that trigger them. If this is so, we can good autonomy-based pro tanto reasons for controlling exposure to certain forms of speech. Earlier drafts of this paper were presented in the 2005 Warwick Graduate Conference in Political theory, the 2005 ALSP Conference at the University of Strathclyde, and the Discussion Group of Political Theory at Warwick University. I am grateful for the many comments received on those occasions, especially to Peter Jones, Graham Long, Glen Newey, Fabienne Peter, Jonathan Seglow and Will Smith. Two anonymous referees for Res Publica gave me helpful comments that benefited the argument defended here. Especial thanks are due to Matthew Clayton and Susan Hurley who provided me with detailed written comments and fruitful discussion.     

创造性思维能力高、低大学生特性负启动效应的实验研究

本研究采用问卷法筛选出创造性思维能力高、低大学生作为被试,利用负启动实验范式考察两组大学生特性负启动效应的异同,探讨汉字特性负启动效应与创造性思维的关系。结果发现：低创造性思维能力组大学生具有显著的特性负启动效应,而高创造性思维能力组大学生则没有产生明显的特性负启动效应。     

Constructive Thought Strategies and Job Satisfaction: A Preliminary Examination

In order to examine the potential of constructive thought strategies for enhancing employee job satisfaction, an existing dispositional model of job satisfaction was expanded and tested. Structural equation modeling techniques indicated significant relationships among constructive thought strategies, dysfunctional thought processes, subjective well-being, and job satisfaction. In addition, two competing models were examined to test for the full or partial mediation of the effects of constructive thought strategies on job satisfaction. The implications of these findings for constructive thought strategy training interventions are discussed, along with directions for future research efforts.     

非雄激素依赖型前列腺癌与肿瘤干细胞——浅析辩证思维之于临床医学的方法论作用

在前列腺癌的治疗中,由于癌细胞的不断“升级”使得治疗屡屡受挫。近来提出的肿瘤干细胞理论认为:肿瘤是一种干细胞疾病,只有消灭了“种子”,才能克服癌症。从自然辩证法的角度,结合肿瘤干细胞理论对前列腺癌的诊疗加以分析,解释非雄激素依赖型前列腺癌的发病机制,以一种新的思维指导临床治疗。     

浅谈影像诊断思维特征

人类的科学思维方式是一个多层次、多形态、多要素的系统。对每一种事物的认识过程都有特定的思维方式。疾病的诊断是一个主观反映客观的认识过程,反映客观的真实程度愈高,诊断的正确性愈高,而客观真实性的再现,在相当程度上取决于人的主观意识,人的主观意识又通过人的思维活动来实现。所以,人的思维在疾病的诊断中占有重要意义。而医学影像诊断思维又有其特点,即以形象思维为先导,以逻辑思维来归结,又有非逻辑思维闪现,如直觉、灵感、经验思维。只有各种思维形式有机的交叉运用,才能得出最接近真实的诊断结论。     

基层医院医生常见的五种错误诊断思维

为了分析临床及X线诊断医师错误的临床诊断思维,探讨正确的临床诊断思维,以减少临床的误漏诊,通过具体分析基层临床医院医生与X线诊断医生五种错误的诊断思维及形成原因,结果显示,错误的诊断思维容易将肺癌误诊为结核,肺癌误诊为肺炎,肺炎消散期易误诊为结核,将结核渗出性病变误诊为肺炎。因此,科学的诊断思维是减少误漏诊的基础和关键。