How to be more creative.

Narrated by Kelly Hunter, ‘How to be Creative’ develops discussion regarding the mental processes that contribute to the process of creative innovation within humans. The programme places emphasis on scientific and technological advancements in neuroscience, thus marking a shift away from more tradition discourse based within cognitive psychology. The programme’s narrative is shaped by a series of case studies and experiments conducted by prominent academics, followed by a discussion of how their research can be applied within everyday life in order to galvanise creative thinking and insight. The programme begins with Professor Jonathon Schooler from the University of California conducting a series of mind game experiments to test creative imagination. He specifically looks at the differences between the left hemisphere of the brain, which is more associated with logical thinking and language and the right side, which is connected to spatial awareness and intuition. Dr Mark Beeman from Northwestern University identifies the parts of the brain that become stimulated during a moment of insight. This is juxtaposed with a discussion from Professor John Kounios from Drexel University who focuses on the brain waves that precede a moment of insight and ultimately, how the two parts of the brain collaborate in the creation of a moment of creative thinking. Dr Rex Jung from the University of New Mexico opens up a discussion comparing intelligence and creativity, and how the brains of creative people are wired differently. This is followed by Dr Charles Limb from John Haptens University discussing musical creativity in relation to improvised jazz musicians, before he asks whether there is a deep creative potential in all humans beings waiting to be unlocked. Finally, Dr Simone Ritter examines why new and unexpected experiences can boost creativity within human beings.