Study finds a messy environment can make us more creative

[kullatiro]

Researchers in Minnesota have discovered that a clean, orderly environment leads to conventional
behavior. They found that the opposite, a messy environment, leads to more unconventional choices and more creativity.

Kathleen D. Vohs, a professor of marketing in the School of Management at the University of Minnesota, conducted a series of three experiments with colleagues Joseph P. Redden and Ryan Rahinel on clean and messy environments.

"Experiment 1 showed that relative to participants in a disorderly room participants in an orderly room chose healthier snacks and donated more money," the three write in their summary.
"Experiment 2
showed that participants in a disorderly room were more creative than participants in an orderly room.

"Experiment 3," they write. "Showed a predicted crossover effect: Participants in an orderly room preferred an option labeled as classic, but those in a disorderly room preferred an option labeled as new."

 Researchers finds creativity likes a mess

They titled their research Physical Order Produces Healthy Choices, Generosity, and Conventionality, Whereas Disorder Produces Creativity and say their findings suggest more of "a nuanced story of how different environments suit different outcomes" than has been thought to
be the case.

Vohs wrote in Friday's New York Times that their findings could have practical applications. She says, for example, that it could be a teaching tool for employers, noting that a minimalist movement is afoot in today's offices, smaller spaces and more of a conventional, clean environment surrounding workers.

"At the same time," Vohs notes. "The working world is abuzz about cultivating innovation and creativity, endeavors that our findings suggest might be hampered by the minimalist movement. While
cleaning up certainly has its benefits, clean spaces might be too conventional to let inspiration flow."

So mess up your space and prepare to do your most creative work ever.

http://m.digitaljournal.com/article/358313