Finding the Non-Obvious: The Kids Know

By Shlomo Maital

Prof. Susan Gelman

   We have known for decades, for certain, that five-year-old kids are geniuses in creativity tests.  We also know, alas, that on average, the Torrance creativity scores fall sharply as we grow older.  This is a massive loss of a precious national resource: Innovative skill.  It appears to be largely a function of how our schools work and teach.

   In the latest American Psychologist (July-August 2023), Univ. of Michigan Psychology Professor Susan Gelman sheds light on the issue.  In her lead article,  “Looking Beyond the Obvious”,  she asks, ‘how do we come to appreciate the non-obvious nature of the world around us?’   And she reports her finding that “the non-obvious and abstract concepts are also central in early thought  .. by three or four years of age”.

     We used to think that very young children thought concretely,  in the ‘here and now’…but Gelman reports that for kids, this is NOT more cognitively basic than non-obvious abstraction. 

       “A contrast between appearance and reality generates exploration and discovery”, Gelman asserts. As adults we opt for appearance, failing to question a different reality underlying it.

          Creativity is generating ideas both novel and useful. Novel generally implies non-obvious.  We adults favor the familiar, the certain, it saves the effort of constantly making choices and getting used to new things.  And hence, we fail to invest effort in the non-obvious. 

       Kids? They do it all the time.  Partly because they have not yet learned what is obvious,  we haven’t yet taught them the rules.  In school, they will be taught what is true, right, obvious, proven…. And downgraded when seeking strange new paths.

        What can be done by us adults, based on Gelman?   How about this —  seek the non-obvious. Daily. Do ordinary daily things differently. Listen to different music. Try different foods.  Try wearing red for a change.  Accustom your brain to non-obvious choices. 

       Later, when you face some tough life choices, your brain may be better equipped to find better, happier non-obvious choices.