Oxytonergic circuitry sustains and enables creative cognition in humans

Carsten K W De Dreu; Matthijs Baas; Marieke Roskes; Daniel J Sligte; Richard P Ebstein; Soo Hong Chew; Terry Tong; Yushi Jiang; Naama Mayseless; Simone G Shamay-Tsoory

doi:10.1093/scan/nst094

Oxytonergic circuitry sustains and enables creative cognition in humans

Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci. 2014 Aug;9(8):1159-65. doi: 10.1093/scan/nst094. Epub 2013 Jul 16.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Weesperplein 4, 1018 XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel, Psychology Department, Economics and Finance Departments, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, Singapore, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore, Economics Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, and Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel c.k.w.dedreu@uva.nl.
² Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Weesperplein 4, 1018 XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel, Psychology Department, Economics and Finance Departments, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, Singapore, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore, Economics Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, and Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel.
³ Department of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Weesperplein 4, 1018 XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel, Psychology Department, Economics and Finance Departments, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, Singapore, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore, Economics Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, and Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, IsraelDepartment of Psychology, University of Amsterdam, Weesperplein 4, 1018 XA Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Guilford Glazer Faculty of Business and Management, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer Sheva 84105, Israel, Psychology Department, Economics and Finance Departments, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, Singapore, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National University of Singapore, Singapore 119228, Singapore, Economics Department, National University of Singapore, Singapore 117570, and Department of Psychology, University of Haifa, Mount Carmel, Haifa 31905, Israel.

Abstract

Creativity enables humans to adapt flexibly to changing circumstances, to manage complex social relations and to survive and prosper through social, technological and medical innovations. In humans, chronic, trait-based as well as temporary, state-based approach orientation has been linked to increased capacity for divergent rather than convergent thinking, to more global and holistic processing styles and to more original ideation and creative problem solving. Here, we link creative cognition to oxytocin, a hypothalamic neuropeptide known to up-regulate approach orientation in both animals and humans. Study 1 (N = 492) showed that plasma oxytocin predicts novelty-seeking temperament. Study 2 (N = 110) revealed that genotype differences in a polymorphism in the oxytocin receptor gene rs1042778 predicted creative ideation, with GG/GT-carriers being more original than TT-carriers. Using double-blind placebo-controlled between-subjects designs, Studies 3-6 (N = 191) finally showed that intranasal oxytocin (vs matching placebo) reduced analytical reasoning, and increased holistic processing, divergent thinking and creative performance. We conclude that the oxytonergic circuitry sustains and enables the day-to-day creativity humans need for survival and prosperity and discuss implications.

Keywords: creative cognition; divergent thinking; neurohormones; oxytocin; polymorphism.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Cognition / physiology*
Creativity*
Double-Blind Method
Female
Genotyping Techniques
Humans
Male
Neuropsychological Tests
Oxytocin / metabolism*
Polymorphism, Genetic*
Receptors, Oxytocin / genetics*
Regression Analysis
Thinking / physiology*
Young Adult

Substances

OXTR protein, human
Receptors, Oxytocin
Oxytocin