Science

Preschoolers aren't more creative than adults—they're just more confident

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Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 21/10/2026, 18:10:24 UTC.

Briefings

A 2026 study published in PLOS One by Janika Saretzki and colleagues at the University of Graz found that while adults are objectively more creative than preschoolers, this difference is driven by adults' anxiety and low self-confidence rather than a lack of creative ability. The study indicates that confidence barriers inhibit adult creativity, suggesting that confidence deficits may be a key factor in the observed developmental gap.

Key points

• Adults are objectively more creative than preschoolers, but this difference is attributed to adults' anxiety and low self-confidence rather than a lack of creative ability.
• The study by Janika Saretzki and colleagues at the University of Graz, published in PLOS One on October 21, 2026, identified confidence barriers as the primary reason for the observed developmental gap in creativity.

Context

This research addresses a long-standing debate about the relative creativity of children versus adults, challenging the assumption that children are inherently less creative. The findings suggest that adult creativity is not diminished but rather suppressed by psychological factors like anxiety and self-doubt.

Limitations

The study relies on a single published article from 2026, limiting the ability to verify long-term trends or replicate findings across diverse populations. Specific data on sample sizes, measurement methods, and control variables are not provided in the available evidence.

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