Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
7.3.6.5
Modulating Semantic Constraints
During these periods of disengaged evaluation, EMC proposes that the semantic
constraints for recalling associated ideas from memory and interpreting elements in
the environment become “unclamped” to enable reconceptualization. Unclamping
semantic constraints helps overcome functional fi xedness, which is a phenomenon
where individuals have trouble dissociating objects from their entrenched meaning
during insight problem-solving (Adamson
1952
).
In the cognitive science literature, the abovementioned type of meaning reassign-
ment is referred to as a
conceptual shift
(Nersessian
2008
). Colloquially termed the
Eureka! or Aha! moment, conceptual shifts occur when two separate knowledge
domains are connected in the mind (Boden
2004
; Nersessian
2008
). It is often par-
tially or wholly responsible for insights that lead to creative discoveries and solu-
tions. The enactive model suggests that conceptual shifts and creative
reconceptualizations are made possible by unclamping perception, thereby allowing
new meanings to be associated with objects and concepts.
Interestingly, this model identifi es an important role for distraction in the creative
process. Distraction is one way to prompt an individual to disengage from everyday
cognition. In abstract art, for example, unfi nished segments of the artwork (or unex-
pected contributions from a collaborator) may distract the artist while they are
drawing. These newly discovered areas might not align with the artist's current
intention. As a result, the artist might want to resolve that tension by drawing addi-
tional lines, which can catalyze the creative process. However, too many distrac-
tions might frustrate the artist.
Now that we have introduced enaction and presented the enactive model of
creativity, we will describe how this model was helpful in designing two computer
colleagues in the domains of visual art and design.
7.4
Building Co-creative Agents with the Enactive Model
The enactive model of creativity served as a productive framework to design co-
creative agents because it enables agents to interactively adapt their perceptual rea-
soning strategies and creative behavior to that of the user, which increases the
probability the user will fi nd the contributions of the system meaningful and cre-
atively engaging.
7.4.1
Layers of Perceptual Logic
There are three layers of perceptual logic in the enactive model of creativity (local,
regional, and global) that are determined by the position of awareness on the spec-
trum of cognition (see Fig.
7.6
). Each successive layer of perceptual logic considers
