Research and Resources
Don't take our word - there is a wealth of research and articles about the power of imagination to develop creativity and critical thinking, engage learners' imagination and transform perspectives and behaviors
"When we imagine something, parts of our brain that are active when we actually experience that thing become active again. If we use our imaginations a lot to practice something we can actually see growth in the brain regions that are important for executing the actions we imagined. In this way, imagination is a powerful tool."
Marianne Cumella Redden, Neuroscientist, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, January 2025
IMAGINATION AND LEARNING
MIT Journal of Cognitive Neuroscience
Imaginative Reinforcement Learning: Computational Principles and Neural Mechanisms
Samuel J. Gershman, Jimmy Zhou, Cody Kommers
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Summary:
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The research highlights the dual nature of imagination in learning: it can both enhance learning by providing additional training data and bias decisions through optimistic reward expectations.
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The findings underscore the importance of understanding and mitigating biases in imaginative simulation to improve decision-making and learning outcomes.​
American Institute for Learning and Human Development
Imagination: The Greatest Untapped Resource in Education
Thomas Armstrong
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Summary:
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The author concludes that imagination, a key driver of creativity and innovation, should be embraced in education to foster deeper learning and prepare students for meaningful contributions to civilization.
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Psychology Today
Rediscovering Wonder: How To Spark Adult Imagination
Leigh Jerome
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Summary:
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Imagination is a superpower that can boost creativity and transform us.
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As children, our imaginations run free but as adults, our imagination can become idle and inflexible.
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A lack of imagination reduces problem-solving, social skills, resilience, job performance, and fulfillment.
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An enriched imagination permeates everything we know and perceive, allowing us to create novel possibilities.
National Library of Medicine
Neural Estimates of Imagined Outcomes in the Orbitofrontal Cortex Drive Behavior and Learning
Yuji K. Takahashi, Chun Yun Chang, Federica Lucantonio, Richard Z. Haney, Benjamin A. Berg,
Hau-Jie Yau, Antonello Bonci, Geoffrey Schoenbaum
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Summary:
Imagination, or the ability to think about things that haven't happened before, is crucial for learning and predicting new situations. This study looks at how a part of the brain called the orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) helps us imagine and learn from these new outcomes. This study shows that a specific part of our brain (the OFC) helps us imagine what might happen in new situations, and this imagination is important for learning. When this part of the brain is not working properly, it becomes harder to learn from new experiences.
The Journal of Educational Psychology
The power of imagination and perspective in learning from science text
Leopold, C., Mayer, R., & Dutke, S. (2019).
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Summary:
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Imagining from a first-person perspective leads to better learning outcomes, such as solving transfer problems and retaining important material.
Educational Gerontology
The power of storytelling and the preservation of memories
Langer, N. (2016).
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Summary:
"Storytelling is probably the best method for communicating important - sometimes complex - concepts in a simple and memorable way. Regardless of the age of the audience or the discipline being taught, a well-told story trumps a Power Point presentation anytime."
Neuroscience News
IQ Tests Can’t Measure It, but ‘Cognitive Flexibility’ Is Key to Learning and Creativity
The Conversation (2021).
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Summary:
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Cognitive flexibility aids adaptability and problem-solving – It helps people switch strategies, solve new problems, and adjust to change better than relying solely on IQ.
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It boosts creativity, resilience, and social skills – Flexible thinkers are more creative, emotionally aware, and resilient to life’s challenges.
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Cognitive flexibility can be improved through training – Structured learning exercises can enhance cognitive flexibility and overall well-being.