Researchers from the University of Graz in Austria conducted a study examining creative abilities across different age groups, comparing preschool children aged four to seven with adults primarily in their twenties. The investigation sought to test the widespread belief that creativity declines as people mature.
Participants completed three creative exercises: generating alternative uses for a tin within three minutes, drawing freely without time constraints, and sketching an imaginary animal within eight minutes. Independent judges evaluated the work based on originality, usefulness, and overall creative quality. Participants also reported their confidence levels, motivation, anxiety, and enjoyment during each task.
The judges’ assessments revealed that adults produced work rated as more original, useful, and creative than children’s contributions, particularly when tasks included explicit objectives and time parameters. However, children reported significantly higher confidence, motivation, and lower anxiety levels throughout the exercises. According to Dr. Mathias Benedek, the study’s senior author, this discrepancy stems from fundamentally different approaches. Children engaged with tasks through intrinsic motivation and play, while adults focused primarily on outcomes, which constrained their enjoyment and willingness to experiment.
Children approached creative work with greater freedom, treating errors as natural components of the creative process. In contrast, adults, concerned about judgment and rejection, frequently abandoned unconventional ideas before attempting them. Benedek noted that the commonly held notion of creativity fading with age represents a misconception, suggesting instead that adults retain creative capacity but experience diminished confidence in applying it.
The research, conducted in collaboration with UCLouvain in Belgium and Yale University, carries certain limitations. The comparison involved only two age groups in a single observation, limiting conclusions about how creativity changes across the lifespan. Additionally, children typically provide more extreme responses on rating scales and exhibit distinct cognitive development compared to adults.
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