A team at the University of Georgia Mary Frances Early College of Education studied daily reports from over 100 college students. Lead author Sakhavat Mammadov says positive emotions and creativity support each other. The study found that feeling positive predicts not only today's creativity but tomorrow's too.
Students kept diaries for weeks and recorded feelings and creative behaviours like drawing, writing and playing music. Those who felt more content were more willing to try creative tasks, from writing a poem to cooking a new recipe. Mammadov defines everyday creativity as 'any activity that is new and useful without recognition needed from society.' The researchers also found that feeling able and having choice helped creativity across days.
Difficult words
- influence — to have an effect on someone or somethinginfluences
- creativity — the ability to make new ideas or things
- emotion — a strong feeling like happiness or sadnessemotions, feelings
- engage — to participate actively in somethingengaged
- important — having great value or significance
- manage — to take care of something or control itmanaging
- supportive — giving help or encouragement to someone
Tip: hover, focus or tap highlighted words in the article to see quick definitions while you read or listen.
Discussion questions
- How do you think emotions affect creativity?
- Can you share a time when you felt inspired to create?
- Do you believe a supportive environment is important for creativity? Why or why not?
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