Date of Graduation

5-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Biology

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Biological Sciences

Advisor/Mentor

Darya Zabelina

Committee Member

Andrew Alverson

Second Committee Member

Yuchun Du

Third Committee Member

Faith Lessner

Abstract

Creativity is a defining characteristic of human cognition and plays a central role in shaping our daily lives. In the literature, creativity is commonly conceptualized through two cognitive processes: divergent thinking, which involves generating multiple novel ideas, and convergent thinking, which involves arriving at a single correct solution by integrating all information available. (Cropley, 2006; Guilford, 1959; Runco & Jaeger, 2012). The present study examined how cognitive control, measured via the Stroop task (Stroop, 1935), relates to convergent creative problem solving as assessed by the Compound Remote Associates (CRA) task. Additionally, trends in alpha and theta power spectra during the Stroop task were explored. While prior research has established behavioral correlations between inhibitory control and creative problem solving, the present study extends this work by examining the underlying neural processes. Using a sample of 85 participants, behavioral results indicated that Stroop task performance did not significantly predict or modulate CRA performance or solution method. However, EEG analyses revealed that occipital alpha power during the Stroop task may help predict which CRA solution method a participant will use. These findings might be explained by occipital alpha’s role in attention and how that can affect how CRAs are solved. Additional EEG analysis showed significant findings in terms of alpha and theta power during the Stroop task, depending on trial type and region. These findings contribute to the growing literature on the neural underpinnings of cognitive control and convergent thinking and help clarify the relationship between inhibitory processes and creative problem solving.

Keywords

Neuroscience

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