Divergent thinking
This group of researchers drew a parallel between “their findings and creative problem solving by arguing that participants in a positive mood are better able both to differentiate between and to integrate unusual and diverse information” (Vosburg, 1998). This shows that their subjects are at a distinct cognitive advantage when performing divergent thinking-related tasks in an elevated mood. Further research could take this topic one step further to explore effective strategies to improve divergent thinking when in a negative mood, for example how to move beyond “optimizing strategies” into “satisficing strategies” rather than focus on “the quality of their ideas”, in order to generate more ideas and creative solutions. (Vosburg, 1998).
.. While little research has been conducted on the impact of sleep deprivation on divergent thinking, one study by J.A. Horne (1988), illustrated that when even motivation to perform well is maintained, sleep can still impact divergent thinking performance.