Do people become less creative as they get older? Research makes surprising discovery
Study pitting preschoolers against adults mostly in their 20s finds fear of failure and anxiety hamper the grownups
TL;DR
- Adults outperform preschoolers on creative tasks, showing higher originality, usefulness, and creativity.
- Preschoolers report higher confidence, motivation, and less anxiety during creative tasks.
- Adults' creativity may be hampered by anxiety and fear of rejection, leading them to dismiss unusual ideas.
- Children are more intrinsically motivated and experimental, treating mistakes as part of the process.
- The study suggests adults do not lose creativity with age but rather the confidence to use it.