Honing Theory: A Complex Systems Framework for Creativity
Liane Gabora

TL;DR
Honing theory presents a complex systems framework where creativity arises from self-organizing minds reducing psychological entropy, facilitating cultural evolution through recursive restructuring and neural synchrony.
Contribution
It introduces honing theory as a novel framework linking self-organizing systems, neural dynamics, and cultural evolution in creativity research.
Findings
Empirical studies support the theory's predictions.
An agent-based model demonstrates cultural evolution mechanisms.
A model of concept combination illustrates restructuring processes.
Abstract
This paper proposes a theory of creativity, referred to as honing theory, which posits that creativity fuels the process by which culture evolves through communal exchange amongst minds that are self-organizing, self-maintaining, and self-reproducing. According to honing theory, minds, like other selforganizing systems, modify their contents and adapt to their environments to minimize entropy. Creativity begins with detection of high psychological entropy material, which provokes uncertainty and is arousalinducing. The creative process involves recursively considering this material from new contexts until it is sufficiently restructured that arousal dissipates. Restructuring involves neural synchrony and dynamic binding, and may be facilitated by temporarily shifting to a more associative mode of thought. A creative work may similarly induce restructuring in others, and thereby…
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Taxonomy
TopicsEvolutionary Game Theory and Cooperation · Creativity in Education and Neuroscience · Aesthetic Perception and Analysis
