Measuring spontaneous processes in creativity research

Spontaneous cognitive processes, operating in combination with controlled (executive) processes, are critical for creative ideation. Whereas decades of research have produced numerous validated methods for measuring controlled processes, the development of tasks and measurement tools that can capture spontaneous processes is still in relatively early stages. We review the most recent advancements in measuring spontaneous processes specifically in creative cognition. The methods we discuss include mind-wandering-based methods, incubation designs, brain imaging methods, and targeted behavioral tasks — specifically tasks based on generation of (free) associations. We point to means of refining each approach to better capture spontaneous processes, and suggest directions for future development.