Cognitive and brain mechanisms of semantic control in creative problem-solving

Creativity has been defined as the capacity to generate novel and appropriate ideas, a core skill for innovation and adaptive functioning. Yet, the cognitive and neural underpinnings of creativity remain elusive. This dissertation examines the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying creative problem-solving, with a particular focus on how semantic processing shapes idea generation. Combining computational modelling and neuroimaging, it investigates how both internal manipulations (e.g., semantic control) and external contexts (e.g., immersive virtual reality illusions) shape the emergence of creative solutions. First, the findings reveal that VR-induced visual disruptions foster cognitive flexibility, thereby enhancing creative problem-solving performance. Second, this thesis demonstrates that even young children engage in goal-directed semantic exploration optimally balancing novelty and appropriateness. Third, neural findings with fMRI shed light on how the brain supports story generation, particularly creative storytelling, integrating whole-brain and region-specific analyses. Finally, EEG results link semantic distances to dynamic reconfigurations of brain activity. Collectively, these findings elucidate the neural and cognitive foundations of creative thought, showing how both internal processes and external influences shape problem-solving. They underscore the inherent complexity of creative process and the need for advanced computational methods to capture their dynamic evolution over time and across diverse contexts. Ultimately, this thesis sets the stage for future research on human creativity, an area essential for scientific progress and for addressing our rapidly evolving world's challenges.