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Chen J, Zhang K, Du X, Pan J, Luo J. The Neural Mechanisms of the Effect of Spontaneous Insight on Re-Solution: An ERP Study. J Intell 2023; 11:jintelligence11010010. [PMID: 36662140 PMCID: PMC9862666 DOI: 10.3390/jintelligence11010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The insight memory advantage refers to the situation in which memory performance could be improved by solving a problem with an Aha experience. In re-solution tests and recognition tests, studies demonstrate an insight memory advantage by spontaneous insight or induced insight. For the re-solution test, the neural mechanisms of the effect of induced insight were studied by the fMRI technique. However, the neural mechanisms of the effect of insight on re-solution in the temporal dimension were not known. The neural mechanisms of the effect of spontaneous insight on re-solution were not known. In the present study, we use the compound remote-associated (CRA) task to reveal the neural mechanisms of the effect of spontaneous insight on re-solution by the event-related potentials (ERPs) technique. The 25 participants were asked to solve a series of Chinese verbal CRA tasks and then perform a re-solution test 1 day later. Our results indicated that the solution with the Aha experience evoked a larger N400 in the early solution phase and a more negative wave in the late solution phase than the solution with no Aha experience. In the re-solution phase, items with an Aha during the solution phase were re-solved better with higher Aha rates than items with no Aha. In the re-solution phase, compared with items with no Aha, items with an Aha during the solution phase evoked a larger positive ERP in the 250 to 350 ms time window in the early phase, and a more negative deflection before the response (-900 to -800 ms) in the later phase. In one word, spontaneous insight during the solution phase could promote re-solution and elicit ERP deflection in the re-solution phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Chen
- College of Education, Hebei University, No. 180 of Wusi East Road, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Ke Zhang
- College of Education, Hebei University, No. 180 of Wusi East Road, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Xiumin Du
- College of Education, Hebei University, No. 180 of Wusi East Road, Baoding 071002, China
- Correspondence: (X.D.); (J.L.)
| | - Junmiao Pan
- College of Education, Hebei University, No. 180 of Wusi East Road, Baoding 071002, China
| | - Jing Luo
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition, School of Psychology, Capital Normal University, Beijing 100048, China
- Correspondence: (X.D.); (J.L.)
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Event-related potentials support the mnemonic effect of spontaneous insight solution. PSYCHOLOGICAL RESEARCH 2020; 85:2518-2529. [PMID: 32995910 DOI: 10.1007/s00426-020-01421-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 09/14/2020] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The mnemonic effect of insight refers to the situation in which experiencing an "aha" moment when solving problems could improve memory performance for both the question and its solution. The aha experience can be triggered either by external stimuli or by internal solution attempts, namely "induced" or "spontaneous" insight, respectively. Tests of the neural correlates of the insightful memory effect are typically conducted in induced insight paradigms. The neural mechanism of the mnemonic effect of spontaneous insight is unclear. In the present study, the mnemonic effect for spontaneous insight was examined by the event-related potentials (ERPs) technique and behavioral measures. Subjects were required to solve a set of Chinese verbal compound remote-associated tasks (CRA), and performed a recognition test 10 min later. The results showed that the spontaneous insight solution elicited a more negative deflection than did the non-insight solution before the button reaction (- 800 to - 400 ms) in the study phase. In the recognition test phase, items which elicited insight during study were recognized faster, compared with non-insight study items. And spontaneous insight solution elicited a more positive deflection than did non-insight solution in the time window from 400 to 700 ms after onset of the answer. Moreover, brain-behavior correlations revealed a relationship between N400 amplitude during study and later memory performance which revealed a double-dissociation between items solved with and without insight during study. The different predictions for recognition indicate that the encoding of spontaneous insight may differ from that of non-insight, suggesting that different encoding mechanisms may mediate the encoding of items and solutions found by insight versus non-insight.
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Zhu W, Yang W, Ming D, Qiu J, Tian F, Chen Q, Cao G, Zhang Q. Individual Differences in Brain Structure and Resting Brain Function Underlie Representation-Connection in Scientific Problem Solving. CREATIVITY RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/10400419.2019.1602461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dan Ming
- Research Institute of Nuclear Power Operation
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Fang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qunlin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guikang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qinglin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Critical thinking and regional gray matter volume interact to predict representation connection in scientific problem solving. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:2035-2044. [PMID: 31165914 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05517-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Representation connection (RC) is a stable ability that significantly predicts the accuracy of scientific innovation problem solving while critical thinking has been strongly related to problem solving. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this relationship have not been assessed. Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and scientific innovation problem solving materials, we investigated the correlation between RC and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in healthy young participants. We found that RC was positively correlated with rGMV in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) and in a cluster in the left medial frontal gyrus (MFG). These results indicate that increased rGMV in the right STG may lead to the ability to overcome misdirection more easily, which may result in better semantic integration of the "certain construction" of heuristic prototypes. Increased rGMV in the left MFG may be associated with forming novel associations and retrieving matched unsolved technical problems from memory. Further analysis revealed that the interaction between critical thinking and rGMV predicted RC in insightful problem solving, and found that higher rGMV was correlated with higher RC in participants with lower cognitive maturity, but not in participants with higher cognitive maturity. These findings suggest that rGMV could interact with cognitive maturity to modulate RC in insightful problem solving.
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Zhao Y, Zhang Z, Xu W, Zhang Q. Promoting Insight in Scientific Innovation: The Effects of Function-Construction Maps. CREATIVITY RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/10400419.2019.1578723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Zhou S, Yin Y, Yu T, Stupple EJN, Luo J. Exploring the Experience of Novelty When Viewing Creative Adverts: An ERP Study. Front Psychol 2018; 9:471. [PMID: 29686637 PMCID: PMC5900800 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00471] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The electrophysiological correlates of experiencing novelty in creative advertising were studied in 28 healthy subjects using event-related potentials. Participants viewed images that were difficult to interpret until a description was presented providing either a creative description (CD) featuring an unexpected description of the image based on the original advertisement, or a normal description (ND), which was a literal description of the image (and served as a baseline condition). Participants evaluated the level of creativity of the description. The results showed that the N2 amplitude was higher for CDs than for NDs across middle and right scalp regions between 240 and 270 ms, most likely reflecting conflict detection. Moreover, CDs demonstrated greater N400 than NDs in a time window between 380 and 500 ms, it is argued that this reflects semantic integration. The present study investigates the electrophysiological correlates of experiencing novelty in advertising with ecologically valid stimuli. This substantially extends the findings of earlier laboratory studies with more artificial stimuli.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shujin Zhou
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yue Yin
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
| | - Edward J N Stupple
- Centre for Psychological Research, University of Derby, Derby, United Kingdom
| | - Junlong Luo
- Department of Psychology, Shanghai Normal University, Shanghai, China
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Wang RW, Kuo HC, Chuang SW. Humor drawings evoked temporal and spectral EEG processes. Soc Cogn Affect Neurosci 2017; 12:1359-1376. [PMID: 28402573 PMCID: PMC5597898 DOI: 10.1093/scan/nsx054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2017] [Accepted: 04/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The study aimed to explore the humor processing elicited through the manipulation of artistic drawings. Using the Comprehension-Elaboration Theory of humor as the main research background, the experiment manipulated the head portraits of celebrities based on the independent variables of facial deformation (large/small) and addition of affective features (positive/negative). A 64-channel electroencephalography was recorded in 30 participants while viewing the incongruous drawings of celebrities. The electroencephalography temporal and spectral responses were measured during the three stages of humor which included incongruity detection, incongruity comprehension and elaboration of humor. Analysis of event-related potentials indicated that for humorous vs non-humorous drawings, facial deformation and the addition of affective features significantly affected the degree of humor elicited, specifically: large > small deformation; negative > positive affective features. The N170, N270, N400, N600-800 and N900-1200 components showed significant differences, particularly in the right prefrontal and frontal regions. Analysis of event-related spectral perturbation showed significant differences in the theta band evoked in the anterior cingulate cortex, parietal region and posterior cingulate cortex; and in the alpha and beta bands in the motor areas. These regions are involved in emotional processing, memory retrieval, and laughter and feelings of amusement induced by elaboration of the situation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Regina W.Y. Wang
- Design Perceptual Awareness Lab (D:PAL)
- The Department of Industrial and Communication Design
| | - Hsien-Chu Kuo
- Design Perceptual Awareness Lab (D:PAL)
- The Department of Industrial and Communication Design
| | - Shang-Wen Chuang
- Design Perceptual Awareness Lab (D:PAL)
- Taiwan Building Technology Center, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (Taiwan Tech), Taipei, Taiwan
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Tong D, Li W, Tang C, Yang W, Tian Y, Zhang L, Zhang M, Qiu J, Liu Y, Zhang Q. An illustrated heuristic prototype facilitates scientific inventive problem solving: A functional magnetic resonance imaging study. Conscious Cogn 2015; 34:43-51. [PMID: 25840359 DOI: 10.1016/j.concog.2015.02.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2014] [Revised: 01/19/2015] [Accepted: 02/16/2015] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Many scientific inventions (SI) throughout history were inspired by heuristic prototypes (HPs). For instance, an event or piece of knowledge similar to displaced water from a tub inspired Archimedes' principle. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this insightful problem solving are not very clear. Thus, the present study explored the neural correlates used to solve SI problems facilitated by HPs. Each HP had two versions: a literal description with an illustration (LDI) and a literal description with no illustration (LDNI). Thirty-two participants were divided randomly into these two groups. Blood oxygenation level-dependent fMRI contrasts between LDI and LDNI groups were measured. Greater activity in the right middle occipital gyrus (RMOG, BA19), right precentral gyrus (RPCG, BA4), and left middle frontal gyrus (LMFG, BA46) were found within the LDI group as compared to the LDNI group. We discuss these results in terms cognitive functions within these regions related to problem solving and memory retrieval.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Tong
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China; School of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Wenfu Li
- Mental Health Department of Jining Meidical University, Jining, Shandong Province 272013, PR China
| | - Chaoying Tang
- Management School of University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China; School of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Yan Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China; School of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Lei Zhang
- Institute of Psychology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, PR China
| | - Meng Zhang
- Department of Psychology, Xinxiang Medical University, Xinxiang, Henan 453003, PR China
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China; School of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, PR China
| | - Yijun Liu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China; School of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, PR China.
| | - Qinglin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing, PR China; School of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing 400715, PR China.
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