Comparing neural patterns of high and low performers in adapted alternate-use design tasks for idea generation

This study examines neural differences between high- and low-performing designers using EEG. Participants viewed an image of IKEA furniture and created alternative designs. Performance was evaluated based on the composite of fluency, flexibility and originality scores. Results reveal that high-performing designers exhibited greater beta and gamma frequency band power in frontal and right-frontal regions compared to low-performers. Although these differences did not remain significant after multiple-comparison correction, their large effect sizes suggest meaningful neural distinctions.