Neurocognitive research is pertinent to developing mechanistic models of how humans generate creative thoughts. Such models usually overlook the role of the motor cortex in creative thinking. The framework of embodied or grounded cognition suggests that creative thoughts (e.g. using a shoe as a hammer, improvising a piano solo) are partially served by simulations of motor activity associated with tools and their use. The major hypothesis stemming from the embodied or grounded account is that, while the motor system is used to execute actions, simulations within this system also support higher-order cognition, creativity included. That is, the cognitive process of generating creative output, not just executing it, is deeply embedded in motor processes. Here, we highlight a collection of neuroimaging research that implicates the motor system in generating creative thoughts, including some evidence for its functionally necessary role in generating creative output. Specifically, the grounded or embodied framework suggests that generating creative output may, in part, rely on motor simulations of possible actions, and that these simulations may by partially implemented in the motor regions themselves. In such cases, action simulations (i.e. reactivating or re-using the motor system), do not result in overt action but instead are used to support higher-order cognitive goals like generating creative uses or improvising.

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运动系统在产生创造性思维中的作用

神经认知研究与开发人类如何产生创造性思维的机制模型有关。这样的模型通常忽略了运动皮层在创造性思维中的作用。具身或扎根认知的框架表明创造性思维（例如，将鞋子用作锤子，即兴演奏钢琴独奏）部分地通过与工具及其使用相关的运动活动的模拟来实现。源自具身或接地帐户的主要假设是，虽然运动系统用于执行动作，但该系统内的模拟也支持更高阶的认知，包括创造力。也就是说，产生创造性输出的认知过程，而不仅仅是执行它，深深地嵌入在运动过程中。这里，我们重点介绍了一系列神经影像研究，这些研究涉及运动系统在产生创造性思维方面的作用，包括一些证据表明其在产生创造性输出方面具有功能上的必要作用。具体而言，扎根或具体化的框架表明，产生创造性输出可能部分依赖于对可能动作的运动模拟，并且这些模拟可能部分地在运动区域本身中实现。在这种情况下，动作模拟（即重新激活或重新使用运动系统）不会导致明显的动作，而是用于支持更高阶的认知目标，例如产生创造性用途或即兴发挥。基础或具体框架表明，产生创造性输出可能部分依赖于对可能动作的运动模拟，并且这些模拟可能部分地在运动区域本身中实现。在这种情况下，动作模拟（即重新激活或重新使用运动系统）不会导致明显的动作，而是用于支持更高阶的认知目标，例如产生创造性用途或即兴发挥。基础或具体框架表明，产生创造性输出可能部分依赖于对可能动作的运动模拟，并且这些模拟可能部分地在运动区域本身中实现。在这种情况下，动作模拟（即重新激活或重新使用运动系统）不会导致明显的动作，而是用于支持更高阶的认知目标，例如产生创造性用途或即兴发挥。