Concentrative Meditation Influences Creativity by Increasing Cognitive Flexibility

Müller, Barbara C. N.
Gerasimova, Anastasija
Ritter, Simone M.

Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, the Netherlands

We thank the members and the Sanghas (communities) of the meditation centers for their participation, their help with organizing the study, and for sharing their valuable experience.

Barbara C. N. Müller, Behavioural Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, P.O. Box 9104, 6500 HE Nijmegen, the Netherlands [email protected]

Received July 29, 2014

revised February 18, 2016

Accepted February 24, 2016

Psychology of Aesthetics, Creativity, and the Arts 10(3):p 278-286, August 2016. | DOI: 10.1037/a0040335

Given the great importance of creativity in society, it is worth investigating how creative thinking can be enhanced. The link between meditation and enhanced creativity has been proposed by a number of authors; however, the reason why meditation leads to an increase in creativity is not clear. The current study aims to investigate the underlying mechanisms of different meditation styles on creative performance. A nonstudent sample was used and the experiment took place outside of the lab environment to maximize external validity. Two groups of experienced meditation practitioners performed a meditation session (either mindfulness or concentrative meditation). Participants’ creativity and cognitive flexibility were assessed before and after the meditation session. The current findings demonstrate that meditation increases creative performance, irrespective of meditation style. Interestingly, only concentrative meditation led to an increase in cognitive flexibility. Possible explanations are discussed.