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Are you interested in Creativity? How does your brain work when it’s coming up with ideas? Can you harness or improve those powers? This interactive course aims to disentangle myths from science, addressing in turn creativity/innovation in the neuron, the brain, the individual, and the organisation.
Course content
This neuroscience of creativity course covers the following topics:
Introduction
- Definition of creativity
- Where do good ideas come from?
- Why creativity is important?
- Exercise (GAUT)
Neuron
- Plasticity
- Networks
- Genetic
- Psychological
- Interactive thinking skills task
- Q&A
Brain
- Connectivity
- Regional development
- Modularity
- Brain development
- Discussion: are children more creative than adults, why/why not? Does technology impact children’s creativity and what can we learn from this?
- Left brain/right brain, neural circuits, executive function (Prefrontal cortex) self-reflective consciousness, working memory, attention
- Q&A
Individual
- Systematic analysis of scientific evidence in: intelligence; flexibility; obsessiveness; openness to experience; divergent thinking; fluidity; personality; motivation; confidence
- Neurotransmitters
- Historical creative individuals (myth or science?)
- Meritocracy discussion (are men & women equally innovative – why or why not?)
- de Bono’s 6 hats
- Systematic analysis of the role of passion and mood in creativity
- Incubation
Organisation
- Principles of evolution (survival of the fittest) - Mutation and Selection to which we now add Cooperation
- Discussion of the evolutionary importance of cooperation between individuals and between groups/organisations
- Motivators (scientific review of what works and what doesn’t – carrot or stick theories)
- Psychological perspective of 'content and process'
- Product development
- Iteration
- Brainstorming
- Modular autonomy
- Chaos theory
- Pragmatic limitations of allowing freedom for creativity within the workplace
- Conclusions
- Q&A
Course delivery
This neuroscience of creativity course will be lecture based with tasks and activities throughout.
Course outcomes
By the end of this course, participants will be able to:
- Understand how myths in creativity have arisen
- Be familiar with brain developmental stages
- Recognise brain regions and their putative functionality
- Understand how neurons, the brain, the individual and the organisation relate to creativity and innovative processes
- Have tools that may help elicit creativity in self and others
- Develop creative strategies for the workplace
- Understand the limitations of scientific knowledge in this field
- Lean the importance of giving time and taking risks
Course suitable for
This neuroscience of creativity course is suitable for participants from all professions and backgrounds.
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Corporate Training
We can provide corporate training to organisations for many of our courses, including customisation to suit your needs. This can be a cost-effective training option for more than 10 participants. Contact us for details.
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Neuroscience of Creativity Course: Separating Myth from Science from the University of Sydney - training courses, short courses, lessons, workshops and classes open to everyone. Enrol in Neuroscience of Creativity Course: Separating Myth from Science and learn with the University of Sydney's premiere provider of short courses and training courses in Sydney - a professional and flexible learning and training development alternative to Sydney TAFE courses and Sydney community colleges - Jason Riley, Operations Manager, Centre for Continuing Education.