Correlations between EEG power and figural creativity scores: Influence of sex and creative achievements

Abstract

Event Abstract Back to Event Correlations between EEG power and figural creativity scores: Influence of sex and creative achievements Irina Tarasova1*, N.V Volf1, O.M Razumnikova1 and M.A Onischenko1 1 Institute of Physiology, Russia It is determined now that successful creative thinking is associated with specific spatial-temporal patterns of EEG activity. On the other hand, in our previous studies it has been shown that men and women demonstrated different patterns of neural activity during creative problems solving. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between EEG power and an efficiency of figural creative thinking in men and women. The right-handed university students participated in the experiment. EEG was recorded from 16 sites with a common earlobe reference in rest and during a figural creative task performance. EEG power was computed for six frequency ranges: theta1 (4-6 Hz), theta2 (6-8 Hz), alpha1 (8-10 Hz), alpha2 (10-12 Hz), beta1 (13-20 Hz) and beta2 (20-30 Hz). An efficiency of figural creative thinking was defined on the base of originality scores. Those scores were obtained on the basis of the normative sample that was composed of 342 male and female students aged 19-23 years. The Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to reveal relationships between task-related changes EEG power (synchronization or desynchronization) and originality scores. Statistical analysis was performed in all participants (n=42) and separately in groups differentiated with respect to sex and creative achievements. In all participants significant positive correlations were found between synchronization of the theta1 and alpha2 rhythms and originality scores. In the theta1 range, correlations were observed for EEG power in occipital loci of the both brain hemispheres and in the alpha2 rhythm correlations were found for power in all electrode sites. Sex differences in the relationships between theta1,2 and beta1,2 power and an efficiency of figural creative thinking were found. In women there were numerous significant positive correlations between an originality and theta2 synchronization in all loci, except for temporal and temporo-parietal. In men the similar effect was revealed in the beta1 range for EEG power in positions F8, T4 and C4, and in the beta2 range for EEG power in sites C3, C4. In addition, in low creative men negative correlations were found between theta1 power in sites F3 and F7 and originality scores. In low creative women positive correlations were revealed between originality and theta1 power in sites F4, C4, P4, O2, T6, and beta2 power in loci FP1 and FP2. Previously we have shown special importance of the theta and beta oscillations for differentiation of neurophysiological basis of creative thinking between men and women. Furthermore, a number of authors have revealed that a necessary condition for successful creative thinking is the alpha power increase. The mentioned facts are corresponding with the data obtained in our study. The present results will be discussed in context of sex differences of cognitive strategies to achieve creative productivity. This research was supported by the Russian Humanities Science Research Foundation (№ 08-06-00614a, 08-06-00615a). Conference: 10th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience, Bodrum, Turkey, 1 Sep - 5 Sep, 2008. Presentation Type: Poster Presentation Topic: Abstracts Citation: Tarasova I, Volf N, Razumnikova O and Onischenko M (2008). Correlations between EEG power and figural creativity scores: Influence of sex and creative achievements. Conference Abstract: 10th International Conference on Cognitive Neuroscience. doi: 10.3389/conf.neuro.09.2009.01.087 Copyright: The abstracts in this collection have not been subject to any Frontiers peer review or checks, and are not endorsed by Frontiers. They are made available through the Frontiers publishing platform as a service to conference organizers and presenters. The copyright in the individual abstracts is owned by the author of each abstract or his/her employer unless otherwise stated. Each abstract, as well as the collection of abstracts, are published under a Creative Commons CC-BY 4.0 (attribution) licence (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) and may thus be reproduced, translated, adapted and be the subject of derivative works provided the authors and Frontiers are attributed. For Frontiers’ terms and conditions please see https://www.frontiersin.org/legal/terms-and-conditions. Received: 02 Dec 2008; Published Online: 02 Dec 2008. * Correspondence: Irina Tarasova, Institute of Physiology, Novosibirsk, Russia, iriz78@mail.ru Login Required This action requires you to be registered with Frontiers and logged in. To register or login click here. Abstract Info Abstract The Authors in Frontiers Irina Tarasova N.V Volf O.M Razumnikova M.A Onischenko Google Irina Tarasova N.V Volf O.M Razumnikova M.A Onischenko Google Scholar Irina Tarasova N.V Volf O.M Razumnikova M.A Onischenko PubMed Irina Tarasova N.V Volf O.M Razumnikova M.A Onischenko Related Article in Frontiers Google Scholar PubMed Abstract Close Back to top Javascript is disabled. Please enable Javascript in your browser settings in order to see all the content on this page.