| Title: |
Neural Mechanisms Underpinning the Association between Visual Arts Education and Creativity |
| Language: |
English |
| Authors: |
Jing Teng; Xinuo Qiao; Kelong Lu; Tuo Liu; Xinyue Wang; Zhenni Gao; Tingting Yu; Ning Hao |
| Source: |
npj Science of Learning. 2026 11. |
| Availability: |
Nature Portfolio. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://www.nature.com/npjscilearn/ |
| Peer Reviewed: |
Y |
| Page Count: |
16 |
| Publication Date: |
2026 |
| Document Type: |
Journal Articles; Reports - Research |
| Education Level: |
Higher Education; Postsecondary Education |
| Descriptors: |
Visual Arts; Art Education; Creativity; Design; Majors (Students); Brain Hemisphere Functions; Cognitive Processes |
| DOI: |
10.1038/s41539-025-00388-1 |
| ISSN: |
2056-7936 |
| Abstract: |
Visual arts education has been linked to cognitive and neural benefits, yet the neural mechanisms associated with creativity remain unclear. This study examined how long-term engagement in design-related visual arts education relates to creative performance and brain function. Using a quasi-experimental design with propensity score matching, we compared design majors to matched non-design majors. Participants completed visual art creative tasks (product and book cover design) and divergent thinking tasks (AUT, TTCT-figural) during fNIRS recording. The design group outperformed peers across tasks and showed greater left dorsolateral prefrontal activation during early idea generation, while non-design peers relied more on sensory and motor regions. Functional connectivity revealed reduced coupling within task-relevant circuits, indicating greater neural efficiency. Dynamic network analysis showed design majors spent more time in efficient states and switched between states more flexibly. These findings suggest that design-related visual arts education may support creativity through efficient and flexible brain network engagement. |
| Abstractor: |
As Provided |
| Entry Date: |
2026 |
| Accession Number: |
EJ1502366 |
| Database: |
ERIC |