Effects of Evolutionarily Novel and Natural Stimuli on Creativity: An Evolutionary Mismatch Framework

How might natural and evolutionarily novel stimuli compare in their effects on creativity? Studies suggest that nature may stimulate creativity with its restorative qualities. Nature often activates positive affective responses, producing a cognitive state of fascination, which is involuntary and effortless, allowing the mind to rest and wander. Yet, little is known how natural stimuli compare with evolutionarily novel stimuli, such as modern built environments and abstract art. Most people now live and work in urban environments, with their arrays of pressing stimuli and dangers. These environments require sustained and directed attention. This suppresses competing cognitive processes and depletes mental resources—resulting in the use of simpler cognitive strategies that inhibit creative thinking. Without the restorative effects offered by nature, the mind is unlikely to enjoy a mental breather to produce creative thoughts. Abstract art, on the other hand, is a wild card. Although evolutionarily novel, its benign uniqueness may stimulate creativity. In three studies – a lab experiment, a field study, and a longitudinal field experiment – we compared the effects of natural versus built environments, as well as abstract art in our third study. Natural environments and abstract art were associated with greater creative performance than built environments.