The origins of insight in resting-state brain activity

Abstract

People can solve problems in more than one way. Two general strategies involve (A) methodical, conscious, search of problem-state transformations, and (B) sudden insight, with abrupt emergence of the solution into consciousness. This study elucidated the influence of initial resting brain-state on subjects' subsequent strategy choices. High-density electroencephalograms (EEGs) were recorded from subjects at rest who were subsequently directed to solve a series of anagrams. Subjects were divided into two groups based on the proportion of anagram solutions derived with self-reported insight versus search. Reaction-time and accuracy results were consistent with different cognitive problem-solving strategies used for solving anagrams with versus without insight. Spectral analyses yielded group differences in resting-state EEG supporting hypotheses concerning insight-related attentional diffusion and right-lateralized hemispheric asymmetry. These results reveal a relationship between resting-state brain activity and problem-solving strategy, and, more generally, a dependence of event-related neural computations on the preceding resting-state. KeywordsAttention; Creativity; Hemispheric Asymmetry; Insight; Problem Solving; Resting State Systematic, relatively stable, patterns of resting-state brain activity are associated with aspects of personality, intelligence, psychopathology, and neurological disorder (Davidson, 2003;John et al., 1988;Kumari et al., 2004;Thatcher et al., 2005), perhaps reflecting subtle differences in neuroanatomy or neurotransmitter levels (John et al., 1988). The existence of such associations suggests the possibility that resting-state neural activity may also be correlated with individual differences in the event-related, goal-oriented, cognitive processes that people use to negotiate the world around them, such as those used in problem solving.The present study examined the hypothesis that resting-state neural activity influences the cognitive strategies people use to solve problems, in particular, the general strategies which result in problem solutions derived either by methodical search or by sudden insight. Determining whether the tendency to solve problems by search versus insight is influenced by Send editorial correspondence to John Kounios,

Validation of Italian rebus puzzles and compound remote associate problems

“…Several studies have shown that the insight and analytic strategies, as reported by the solvers, were associated with specific patterns of behavioral responses, different patterns across the visual hemifields (Bowden & Jung-Beeman, 2003b), different eye movements and attention allocation (Salvi, Bricolo, Franconeri, Kounios, & Beeman, 2015), and distinct neural activityboth at the moment of solving (Aziz-Zadeh et al, 2009;Jung-Beeman et al, 2004;Subramaniam et al, 2009) and in the brain states that preceded problems solved by one versus the other set of processes (Kounios et al, 2006). Indeed, even individual differences in resting-state EEG are associated with a proclivity to solve in one way versus the other (Kounios et al, 2008).…”

Solving Classical Insight Problems Without Aha! Experience: 9 Dot, 8 Coin, and Matchstick Arithmetic Problems

“…Compared to other studies using trial-wise insight ratings, the present finding is quite typical. Other studies, using CRA problems, report numbers between 50% and 60% (Kounios et al, 2008;Subramaniam et al, 2009;Sandkühler & Bhattacharya, 2008;Wegbreit, Suzuki, Grabowecky, Kounios, & Beeman, 2012). Fedor, Szathmáry, and Öllinger (2015) found for Katona's Five Square Problem (Katona, 1940) that 74% of all solvers reported an Aha!…”

Unilateral muscle contractions enhance creative thinking

“…Recently, hemispheric asymmetry in resting-state EEG has been shown to be related to individual differences in insight-problem solving (Kounios et al, 2008). Participants who were more likely to use insight during anagram problem solving had lower alpha-EEG power at right dorsal-frontal areas and greater alpha power at left inferior-frontal and left anterior-temporal sites.…”