Now that you know about the three brain networks that are involved in the creative process, there’s some related research to be aware of.
Some of this research focuses on daydreaming. Daydreaming refers to the thoughts and images people have when their attention turns inward—when they’re in default network mode.
Most scientists today use the term “mind wandering” instead of daydreaming. This is probably because the term “daydreaming” has taken on negative connotations.
Rebecca McMillan (2013) wrote about the history of research into daydreaming. The first scientist to study daydreaming was Jerome Singer, starting in 1955.
Productive Vs. Pathological
Most psychologists in Singer’s early research years thought daydreaming was nonproductive and even pathological. Singer was the first researcher to claim that positive constructive daydreaming was normal, widespread, and is what most people are doing up to 50 percent of the time. And he was the first researcher to make the connection between daydreaming and creativity.
Singer actually divided daydreaming into three types: positive constructive daydreaming (wishful thinking, creative thoughts), guilty-dysphoric daydreaming (obsessive thoughts and fantasies), and poor attentional control (an inability to concentrate on the task at hand). Only positive constructive daydreaming is related to the default network.
Note
Daydreaming can be intentional or it can happen without you realizing you’ve slipped into it. You can, however, tell when people are daydreaming: their pupils dilate and they blink more (Romain Grandchamp, 2011).
Getting Over The Bad Rap Of Daydreaming
Despite the research about the importance of daydreaming to creativity, many people are still uncomfortable with the idea. Many of us grew up getting into trouble for daydreaming, because the adults in our lives took it to mean that we were not paying attention.
And, as adults, many of us work in corporate cultures that also say it’s not OK for us to sit at our desks, stare off into space, and “do nothing” for a while. It might actually be the most productive thing you can do.
Takeaways
- Don’t be afraid to daydream. It will heighten your creativity.
- When you work in a place that discourages daydreaming, share the research on daydreaming with the people you work with and with your supervisor.
- When you’re working on a creative idea or solving a problem, set aside specific time for daydreaming every day until the solution or idea comes to you.
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