This talk is based on recently published research carried out by Dermot Breslin, Sheffield University Management School.
In the first part of the presentation, findings from an experimental study will be discussed, in which the relationship between different types of off-task break and creative performance in groups was investigated. When compared to the no-break case, it is seen that collaborative breaks, in which all individuals participate in the group activity, lead to more original ideas being generated post-break. On the other hand, individual breaks and competitive group breaks, lead to lower levels of idea originality post-break, when compared with the no-break case.
In the second half of the presentation, findings from two further experiments are discussed, in which the optimal time of day for group creative exercises is explored. In both experiments, a significant relationship was found between the timing of the group task and creative performance, with a peak in creative fluency around midday. This research thus points to a significant time of day effect in the creative process in groups.
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