lightofdarkness
May 15th, 2006, 07:18 PM
"People sometimes solve problems with a unique process called insight, accompanied by an ??Aha!?? experience. It has
long been unclear whether different cognitive and neural processes lead to insight versus noninsight solutions, or if
solutions differ only in subsequent subjective feeling. Recent behavioral studies indicate distinct patterns of
performance and suggest differential hemispheric involvement for insight and noninsight solutions. Subjects solved
verbal problems, and after each correct solution indicated whether they solved with or without insight. We observed
two objective neural correlates of insight. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (Experiment 1) revealed increased
activity in the right hemisphere anterior superior temporal gyrus for insight relative to noninsight solutions. The same
region was active during initial solving efforts. Scalp electroencephalogram recordings (Experiment 2) revealed a
sudden burst of high-frequency (gamma-band) neural activity in the same area beginning 0.3 s prior to insight
solutions. This right anterior temporal area is associated with making connections across distantly related information
during comprehension. Although all problem solving relies on a largely shared cortical network, the sudden flash of
insight occurs when solvers engage distinct neural and cognitive processes that allow them to see connections that
previously eluded them."
Abstract to the paper:
Neural Activity When People Solve
Verbal Problems with Insight
Mark Jung-Beeman1*, Edward M. Bowden1, Jason Haberman1, Jennifer L. Frymiare2, Stella Arambel-Liu1,
Richard Greenblatt3, Paul J. Reber1, John Kounios2*
1 Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America, 2 Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, 3 Source Signal Imaging, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
Thunder has a lot of yin operating in a yang context. RH of the brain covers integration more than differentation and so issues of what could have been, is not, could be and identification focused on connecting implications etc. where that process can elicit the sudden 'A-Ha'.
long been unclear whether different cognitive and neural processes lead to insight versus noninsight solutions, or if
solutions differ only in subsequent subjective feeling. Recent behavioral studies indicate distinct patterns of
performance and suggest differential hemispheric involvement for insight and noninsight solutions. Subjects solved
verbal problems, and after each correct solution indicated whether they solved with or without insight. We observed
two objective neural correlates of insight. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (Experiment 1) revealed increased
activity in the right hemisphere anterior superior temporal gyrus for insight relative to noninsight solutions. The same
region was active during initial solving efforts. Scalp electroencephalogram recordings (Experiment 2) revealed a
sudden burst of high-frequency (gamma-band) neural activity in the same area beginning 0.3 s prior to insight
solutions. This right anterior temporal area is associated with making connections across distantly related information
during comprehension. Although all problem solving relies on a largely shared cortical network, the sudden flash of
insight occurs when solvers engage distinct neural and cognitive processes that allow them to see connections that
previously eluded them."
Abstract to the paper:
Neural Activity When People Solve
Verbal Problems with Insight
Mark Jung-Beeman1*, Edward M. Bowden1, Jason Haberman1, Jennifer L. Frymiare2, Stella Arambel-Liu1,
Richard Greenblatt3, Paul J. Reber1, John Kounios2*
1 Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois, United States of America, 2 Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania, United States of America, 3 Source Signal Imaging, Inc., San Diego, California, United States of America
Thunder has a lot of yin operating in a yang context. RH of the brain covers integration more than differentation and so issues of what could have been, is not, could be and identification focused on connecting implications etc. where that process can elicit the sudden 'A-Ha'.