Cognitive Stimulation of Individual Creativity in a Group Context : Mediated and Face-to-Face Idea Sharing

We examine how idea exposure produces cognitive stimulation. Study participants were given stimulus ideas with a low or high level of originality, or with absurd content. Stimuli were exposed in conditions of face-to-face communication and with computer and paper mediation, respectively. Three parameters of creativity were analyzed: Fluency, flexibility, and originality. Results revealed a positive effect on fluency scores for face-to-face communication. This effect is the most evident for the exposure of absurd stimulus ideas. We also found a positive effect on originality scores for highly original stimulus ideas