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Social media, mind wandering, and creativity: The Gen Z perspective

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The study explored the effect of mind wandering on the creative capacities of Generation Z, particularly within the context of social media usage. As digital natives, associates of Generation Z are frequently visible to vast and often overwhelming digital content, which can induce cognitive overload and impair their creative output. The research examined how mind wandering frequently spurred by excessive social media engagement affects self-reported creativity. Further, it explored the moderating role of the cognitive closure between mind wandering and self-reported creativity. Focusing on the Indian Generation Z population, this study intended to bridge the gap in existing literature, which was largely based in the Western contexts. Results highlight that mind wandering has a notable effect on creativity, and this relationship is further shaped by an individual’s level of need for cognitive closure.

Source: Journal of Creativity

DOI: 10.1016/j.yjoc.2025.100116

Authors: Kalaa Chenji, Sode Raghavendra

Institutions: ICFAI Business School, ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, Institute of Chartered Financial Analysts of India

Language: English

Topic: Mind wandering and attention

Subfield: Cognitive Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $1,560

OpenAlex ID: W4416443677

FWCI:

Cites: 33

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