Perhaps you’ve heard of the amygdala. It is the lightning-fast brain section responsible for detecting potential threats and prompting fear responses, such as fight-or-flight. The amygdala sends signals to the hypothalamus to release bursts of stress hormones (such as cortisol and adrenaline), which promote arousal and prompt us to enact safety strategies.
Fear responses are very effective at keeping us safe but there is a downside. When the amygdala senses danger, it actually blocks our prefrontal cortex (responsible for critical thinking) in order to react swiftly.
This can save our life or it can cause us to shut down, think and act conventionally, and avoid taking risks in the future. Emotional Intelligence author Daniel Goleman calls this an Amygdala Hijack.
The amygdala is not only activated by physically dangerous situations. Stress responses (a milder form of fear responses) can be activated whenever we feel vulnerable, protecting us against possible negative feelings as well as physical harm. Even a remote threat of failure or embarrassment can trigger a stress response and hijack our idea-generating, problem-solving brilliance.
When the Amygdala Hijacks System 1 Thinking
Our need for safety
Human beings have evolved to have a natural aversion to uncertainty (our ancestors needed definite answers to questions like, ‘Is that a tiger?’). So we are hardwired to prefer certainty and conventionality rather than ambiguity. However, creative work creates a paradox as we seek out the novelty to which we are innately adverse.
Recent research found that when asked, most participants champion creativity and generally prefer creative options. But when feelings of uncertainty are introduced, participants change their minds. They opt for conventional choices despite the creative option having clear advantages. Participants are both unaware of their ambiguity aversion and that their aversion causes them to overlook creative solutions. In other words, we may be shying away from radical, unconventional ideas without even realising it.
Our need for control
Many of us have experienced distressing events in our young lives that make us question our self-worth (being bullied or consistently failing exams, for example). As adults, we often find ways to put old psychological injuries behind us. When old insecurities pop up, our logical prefrontal cortex tells us that we are no longer that vulnerable little person.
But when we think creatively, our prefrontal cortex is off duty. The mind wandering, memory retrieval, and unconscious associations required for original thought can access our old psychological injuries and awaken self-doubt. Instead of staying open to the widest range of ideas, we may be avoiding deep introspection in order to keep in control of our emotions and avoid feeling vulnerable. We may be missing opportunities for creative discovery as a result.
When the Amygdala Hijacks System 2 Thinking
In the verification stage of the creative process, we present and test out our new ideas. Creative risk is part of the job and there is always the potential for dismissal of our ideas. Negative feedback, criticism, or rejection can trigger the amygdala and hijack our creative confidence.
It’s not our fault. Our brains are hardwired this way. (Blame the amygdala).
Our ancestors did not have to be happy to survive but they did need to be vigilant. Cavemen who were complacent about pairing up with others or protecting themselves from what was lurking in the bushes did not survive long enough to become our ancestors.
So our amygdala evolved to be hypersensitive to novelty, uncertainty, and rejection in order to survive. Unfortunately for us, our antiquated amygdala still operates as if we live amongst lions and tigers.
Fear can also be a motivator. (Thank the amygdala).
Anxiety (another form of fear response) occurs when we imagine what might go wrong. Mild anxiety energises our brain and body to prepare. Author Adam Grant suggests, ‘A healthy dose of anxiety about things going poorly is a key part of how many people champion their original ideas and find the courage to take risks’.
The Hijacker’s Hijack
In an environment where we put our creative necks on the line on a regular basis, rejection or failure is often a possibility. No matter how many times our prefrontal cortex tells us, ‘Go ahead. Failure is good. We learn from our mistakes’, our amygdala is there in the background, ready to scream ‘DON’T DO IT!’
In times like this, a stronger force can override our fear of failure: our fear of regret. Regret because we missed an opportunity, we didn’t take the chance, didn’t believe in ourselves, and didn’t overcome our fear of failure (!) can actually motivate us to take the creative leap.
Where is Your Sweet Spot?
When we demystify creative thinking, we realise that it is accessible to all of us and that creative work by its nature brings up anxiety, fear and doubt. The trick is not to let our fears hijack our creative process. There is not one prescriptive all-fear busting solution. Each of our creative processes are different. Your fears, doubts, psychological injuries, and creative processes are different from everyone else’s.
If you want to access your idea-generating problem-solving awesomeness, you don’t need to find THE sweet spot. You need to find YOUR sweet spot. Monkey therapy helps you understand your creative process, your hijacks, and even how to hijack your hijacks.
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