The Creative Brain Under Stress: Considerations for Performance in Extreme Environments.

Oshin Vartanian,Peter Suedfeld,Sidney Ann Saint,Nicole Herz

doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2020.585969

Abstract

Over the last 2 decades, we have begun to gain traction on the neural systems that support creative cognition. Specifically, a converging body of evidence from various domains has demonstrated that creativity arises from the interaction of two large-scale systems in the brain: Whereas the default network (DN) is involved in internally-oriented generation of novel concepts, the executive control network (ECN) exerts top-down control over that generative process to select task-appropriate output. In addition, the salience network (SN) regulates switching between those networks in the course of creative cognition. In contrast, we know much less about the workings of these large-scale systems in support of creativity under extreme conditions, although that is beginning to change. Specifically, there is growing evidence from systems neuroscience to demonstrate that the functioning and connectivity of DN, ECN, and SN are influenced by stress – findings that can be used to improve our understanding of the behavioral effects of stress on creativity. Toward that end, we review findings from the neuroscience of creativity, behavioral research on the impact of stress on creativity, and the systems-level view of the brain under stress to suggest ways in which creativity might be affected under extreme conditions. Although our focus is largely on acute stress, we also touch on the possible impact of chronic stress on creative cognition.

Highlights

Human beings work under optimal conditions, and under stressful conditions that require physical and psychological resilience for survival, performance, and growth (Suedfeld and Steel, 2000)
This is made possible by virtue of the fact that the three large-scale networks in the brain that are impacted by stress are precisely the ones that have begun to shape our understanding of the emergence of creative ideas in the neuroscience of creativity (Beaty et al, 2016)
To the extent that various psychiatric and neurological disorders can be viewed as chronic forms of stress, this body of research suggests a close correspondence between the neurological markers of acute and chronic stress at the network level, and suggests that a complete representation of the impact of stress on higher cognition including creativity requires an understanding of both its acute and chronic effects

Summary

INTRODUCTION

Human beings work under optimal conditions, and under stressful conditions that require physical and psychological resilience for survival, performance, and growth (Suedfeld and Steel, 2000). The overarching aim of this manuscript is to review this nascent literature in an effort to improve our understanding of the impact of extreme environments – those that cause stress – on creativity. This is made possible by virtue of the fact that the three large-scale networks in the brain that are impacted by stress are precisely the ones that have begun to shape our understanding of the emergence of creative ideas in the neuroscience of creativity (Beaty et al, 2016)

The Creative Brain Under Stress

CONCLUSION