Presentation Master's thesis - Iris Klaver - Brain & Cognition Psychology

The present study investigated the role of visual entropy and humor production in creativity, particularly divergent thinking. Divergent thinking is defined as the ability to generate multiple creative ideas, with cognitive flexibility as the underlying core mechanism. Creativity is essential for both individual well-being and societal innovation. 

Previous research suggests that both visual entropy and humor production may influence divergent thinking, but little is known about their interaction. According to the APEX model, these effects may be shaped by both environmental and personality factors. 

One of these factors, from the external environment, is visual entropy, operationalized through high- or low-complexity videos. Another factor, from personality, is humor production. Their effects and interaction were examined on divergent thinking in an online Alternative Uses Task. A total of 113 participants (Mage = 24.35, SD = 4.45) completed the task in a between-subjects design. To assess humor production, participants completed the MSHS-HC questionnaire. No significant main effect of visual entropy was found. Humor production showed a significant negative effect on divergent thinking, with higher humor production associated with lower divergent thinking. In addition, a significant interaction emerged between humor production and the entropy condition. These findings suggest that the relationship between humor and creativity may depend on the visual context, particularly in high-entropy environments, which helps in identifying ways to stimulate creative behavior.