Changes in the EEG power during tests for nonverbal (figurative) creativity

Abstract

The EEG was recorded in 19 standard derivations according to the international 10–20 system in 30 subjects during a test for figurative creativity. To involve subjects in the creative process, they were presented with the following creative tasks: (Cr1) thinking up and drawing an original picture; (Cr2) drawing a face, a house, and a clown in an original manner; (C1) drawing a picture from memory; and (C2) drawing geometric figures without any system. All the tasks had to be performed using a given set of geometric figures (a circle, semicircle, triangle, and rectangle). Statistical analysis of the EEG spectral power for the frequency bands α1, α2, β1, β2, and γ showed that the creative task performance was characterized by an increase in the EEG power in the β2 and γ bands and single differently directed power changes in the α1, α2, and β1 bands. The findings were compared to previous results of EEG studies on creative activity.