{"title":"The neural mechanisms of bilinguals’ creativity: A neuroimaging study","authors":"Yilong Yang , Yadan Li , Jinyan Gu","doi":"10.1016/j.jneuroling.2025.101245","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prior research has established a positive link between bilingualism and creativity. However, despite clear evidence for the positive role of L2 proficiency in creativity, few neuroimaging studies have provided insights into its underlying neural mechanisms. To bridge this gap, we employed a chain free association task and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to capture cortical activity in the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) and the frontopolar cortex (FPC) during the task. Our behavioral results confirmed a positive association between L2 proficiency and creative performance. Neuroimaging data revealed that TPJ activity in bilinguals positively correlated with their creativity, while FPC activity was negatively correlated with their creativity. Furthermore, mediation analysis indicated that both TPJ and FPC activity mediated the relationship between L2 proficiency and creative performance. These preliminary findings suggest the potential involvement of both the default mode network (DMN) and the executive function network (EFN) in bilinguals’ creative cognition.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":50118,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Neurolinguistics","volume":"74 ","pages":"Article 101245"},"PeriodicalIF":1.2000,"publicationDate":"2025-01-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Neurolinguistics","FirstCategoryId":"102","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0911604425000016","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"心理学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"LINGUISTICS","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Prior research has established a positive link between bilingualism and creativity. However, despite clear evidence for the positive role of L2 proficiency in creativity, few neuroimaging studies have provided insights into its underlying neural mechanisms. To bridge this gap, we employed a chain free association task and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to capture cortical activity in the temporo-parietal junction (TPJ) and the frontopolar cortex (FPC) during the task. Our behavioral results confirmed a positive association between L2 proficiency and creative performance. Neuroimaging data revealed that TPJ activity in bilinguals positively correlated with their creativity, while FPC activity was negatively correlated with their creativity. Furthermore, mediation analysis indicated that both TPJ and FPC activity mediated the relationship between L2 proficiency and creative performance. These preliminary findings suggest the potential involvement of both the default mode network (DMN) and the executive function network (EFN) in bilinguals’ creative cognition.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Neurolinguistics is an international forum for the integration of the neurosciences and language sciences. JNL provides for rapid publication of novel, peer-reviewed research into the interaction between language, communication and brain processes. The focus is on rigorous studies of an empirical or theoretical nature and which make an original contribution to our knowledge about the involvement of the nervous system in communication and its breakdowns. Contributions from neurology, communication disorders, linguistics, neuropsychology and cognitive science in general are welcome. Published articles will typically address issues relating some aspect of language or speech function to its neurological substrates with clear theoretical import. Interdisciplinary work on any aspect of the biological foundations of language and its disorders resulting from brain damage is encouraged. Studies of normal subjects, with clear reference to brain functions, are appropriate. Group-studies on well defined samples and case studies with well documented lesion or nervous system dysfunction are acceptable. The journal is open to empirical reports and review articles. Special issues on aspects of the relation between language and the structure and function of the nervous system are also welcome.