The creative type – what’s the link between DNA and creativity?

‘The creative type’ – what’s the link between DNA and creativity?

If I asked you to picture a ‘creative type’ – what image would spring to mind? For most, the archetypal creative is an alternative, artsy type. From zany rock icons, to bohemian writers and quirky artists – society gives us a clear vision of what inspired individuals look and act like. Their creativity isn’t expressed singularly in their work, but through their image, too. Perhaps this is the reason so many people have a warped idea of what it means to be creative; they are quick to view it as inaccessible, or a skill they simply cannot foster.

The entertainment industry loves to tell stories of how the world’s most prominent creatives were born into their talent, showing a flair for imagination that’s simply in their blood. But really, these tales are exactly that: stories. Entertaining though they may be, they account for such a small percentage of the population who genuinely are, and practice creativity every day. Though science and creativity are often held in separation, research into the link between genes, socialisation and creative aptitude do a good job of busting this creativity stereotype for good.

Really, this brings us back to a well-worn psychological debate – that of nature vs nurture. While I won’t go into the full complexities of this now, the misconception in this scenario is to see creativity as something that comes from nature, rather than nurture. As with anything psychological, the actual reasons behind this are far from black and white. Studies have suggested that there may be a link between genes and someone’s natural propensity to be creative, but that does nothing to guarantee its fulfilment.

One study found that an increased presence of a particular cluster of genes (associated with plasticity in the brain) could heighten someone’s chance of harbouring creative thought – this is because these particular genes are associated with the brain’s ability to break and form new connections between cells. In human terms, this genetic makeup can make you a faster learner. Something which is generally considered to be an asset to creativity, but not a sure-fire root to achieving it.

The problem with the few studies which have linked DNA and creativity is that even when genetic arrangements provide people with a natural advantage in creative areas, they do nothing to ensure them. Similarly, skills which can be brought forth by genetic advantage – such as perceptiveness and adaptiveness – can also be cultivated through external factors.

Remember, not having the genetic disposition of an athlete does nothing to prevent you from exercising and getting fit; similarly, your DNA holds no bearing on whether you are able to practice creativity or not. In fact, a far greater volume of studies have found that a great plethora of outside factors can enhance our creative ability – that’s everything from seeking challenges and capturing news ideas, to broadening knowledge and keeping interesting company.

For the remaining sceptics, I want you to consider the great number of creative ideas and people to have graced this earth; there is no one single type amongst them. Plus, the chances of each of these individuals having a genetic predisposition to be creative is simply implausible. The thing that’s most likely to be standing in the way of you and enhanced creativity is your mindset and the common thinking errors we all regularly fall trap to.

These are selective thinking (favouring pet ideas), reactive thinking (allowing knee-jerk reactions take precedence over thought-out strategy) and assumptive thinking (accepting beliefs and the status quo without evidence to do so). The good news is these can be easily overturned. Learning to think about thinking and harnessing innovation to improve your creative outlook will quickly produce significant results.

Henry Ford said – “Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably why so few engage in it.” The real truth when it comes to being creative is that it all starts in your head – being able to push aside your incorrect notions that you’re ‘simply not the creative type’ is the first step on a meaningful journey to becoming more innovative every day. From focussed daydreaming and metacognition to learning from mistakes and innovating with optimism, everybody and anyone be creative. Just like any skill – it requires knowledge, practice and refinement – all of which you can easily access.

In a world where innovative tech giants like Apple rule, and a rapidly flourishing disruptive start-up market is shaking up the corporate world for good – the importance of creating new and original ideas is more pressing than ever. So, let’s cut it with the ‘creative type’ stereotype, there’s no such thing! With no genetic restraints to decide our destiny, who knows what possibilities lie before us.

Written by Chris Griffiths with Caragh Medlicott. Chris is the bestselling author of The Creative Thinking Handbook, and founder of OpenGenius, the innovative company behind creative productivity software Ayoa

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