Do We Lose Our Creativity As We Age?
Creativity is not a fixed trait, but rather something that can change over the course of our lives.
Do we lose our creativity as we grow older? The curiosity around this question has recently gained a resurgence. As we progress in age, we tend to think that our creativity will decline along with our physical abilities. Recent research suggests that this may not be the case. In fact, creativity may evolve and mature in different ways as we grow older. Some aspects of creativity may even improve with age.
A study by Kaufman and Sternberg (2016) published in the journal Intelligence, examined the relationship between age and creativity in a sample of older adults. The study found that while certain aspects of creativity, such as divergent thinking, tended to decline with age, other aspects, such as convergent thinking, remained stable or even improved. The authors suggest that this may be due to the accumulation of knowledge and experience over time, which can enhance problem-solving abilities and support the generation of new ideas.
This suggests that creativity is not a fixed trait, but rather something that can change over the course of our lives. And this is good news for older adults who may be worried about losing their creativity as they age. In fact, it may be that older adults have a unique advantage when it comes to creativity.
One of the key advantages of older adults is the wealth of knowledge and experience they have accumulated over the course of their lives. This knowledge and experience allows older adults to make connections between seemingly unrelated pieces of information, which can support the generation of new ideas. Additionally, older adults tend to be more reflective and less impulsive than younger adults, which can also support creative thinking.
However, it’s important to note that not all aspects of creativity decline with age. As we age, we may have to work harder to generate new ideas, but it is still possible to be creative. The key is to stay engaged and active, both mentally and physically. This can be done through activities such as reading, writing, learning new skills, and staying socially connected.
In conclusion, the relationship between aging and creativity is complex. While certain aspects of creativity may decline with age, others may remain stable or even improve. Older adults may have a unique advantages when it comes to creativity, as they have a wealth of knowledge and experience that can support the generation of new ideas. By staying engaged and active, older adults can continue to be creative throughout their lives.
Source: -"Age and creativity: A review and meta-analysis of longitudinal studies" by J. C. Kaufman and R. J. Sternberg, Intelligence, 2016.
