Studies to support Value of Improv

[Jim Tosone]

Does anyone know of any studies that demonstrate the value of Improv in enhancing the creativity, collaboration, andor communication skills of individuals and groups? I do corporate work and those who are considering engaging me are often data and Return-on-Investment oriented. Ideal would be a designed study published in a peer-review journal, but anything above and beyond individual anecdotes would be helpful. Jim Tosone (ImprovMeansBusiness.com)

[Ruthie Levikoff]

Okay...This research isn't exactly about Improv, but it is about laughter, and we can certainly make that connection

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14889165

and you can listen to the segment at:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p00k0jzf#p00kg1kv

 

Ruthie Levikoff

[Jim Tosone]

Thanks very much, Ruthie. Regards, Jim

[Liane Fredericks]

Hi all - i just found this site: http://www.improvcommunity.ca/about/research/areas - a lot of it stems about musical improv but the 'Improv and Social Policy' one looks interesting:

1. In what ways do the practices of contemporary improvisation both reflect and inform ideas about social change?
2. How can research into the relationship of improvisation and social policy inform improvisational practices that are specifically tailored to address social problems?

Might have to delve deeper for the statistics but let me know if you find anything of interest. 

 

[Jim Tosone]

Thanks, Liane. I will check it out. Regards, Jim

[Jennifer Schemke]

I would love this very same information!

[Frederique Thiriet-Smith]

You can can find a list of articles on http://appliedimprov.ning.com/notes/Impro_Reading_list and Burget's thesis on http://appliedimprov.ning.com/forum/topics/influence-of-improv-on-work provides academic reseach background.

[Sarah Noll]

Thank you so much for providing this list!   While I'm a little late to the game, this is immensely helpful!  

[Jim Tosone]

Frederique, thank you very much. Both of these references contain information that I will be able to use.

[Karen Dawson]

Check out Keith Sawyer's work...I think one of his books is called "Group Genius." He's a well respected academic.

[Jim Tosone]

Karen, thanks very much for letting me know about this book. I have looked at its description and it looks like a worthwhile read. I have ordered a copy.

[Simon Goland]

Indirectly, yes. Daniel Pink's book "A Whole New Mind" is awesome, and I am using it in teaching a course in Creativity and Right Livelihood (MBA level course). While not explicitily improv, many of the principles are very relevant.

Simon

[Alan Montague, CPLP]

A great book.
I'm trying to meld the concepts from that with the ones from Pam Mayer's book and the one on Carrot Culture....
All sorts of fun!