Brainstorming? Avoid The Internet, Study Says

Struggling with creativity? You may be Googling too much, says new study

We can all agree that the internet is an never-ending repository of information. But new research out of Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) has found that, in some cases, “Googling” can get in the way of a good brainstorm session and actually hinder creativity. In a recent study published in the journal Memory & Cognition, researchers asked participants to brainstorm new ways to use one of two common objects—a shield or an umbrella—either with or …

Brainstorming? Avoid The Internet, Study Says

Key Takeaways

How Google searches can limit your creativity

Does Google help or hurt creativity? A new Carnegie Mellon study explores how internet search impacts brainstorming and idea originality.

Study Reveals That Internet Searches Can Hinder Creativity

In a study published in the journal Memory & Cognition, researchers asked participants to brainstorm novel uses for two objects — umbrellas and shields. In some trials, the participants had access to Google search, while in other trials, they were forbidden from seeking outside help via search engines.

New Study Finds Internet Searches May Impede Creative Thinking

In today’s digital age, the omnipresence of internet search engines profoundly shapes how we approach problem-solving and creativity. A recent study out of Carnegie Mellon University sheds new light on the subtle yet significant cognitive shifts triggered by reliance on online search during creative brainstorming tasks. Published in the journal Memory & Cognition, this research investigates how the availability of internet search engines influen…