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Different pre-stimulus neural signatures of subsequent solving by insight versus analysis in an anagram task
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Different pre-stimulus neural signatures of subsequent solving by insight versus analysis in an anagram task

Xinyi Zhu
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Jun 2020
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/00001041
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Abstract

Insight Neuropsychology
Insight is the sudden realization of a novel idea or solution to a problem accompanied by an "aha" experience. In contrast, analytic problem solving occurs when the solution to a problem is found in a conscious, deliberate fashion without an "aha" experience. Previously, Kounios et al. (2006) found that neural activity during the 2-second interval preceding the display of compound remote associates problems predicted whether participants were more likely to solve that problem insightfully or analytically. In the present study, we recorded EEG to assess whether a difference in prestimulus neural activity also exists when people solve anagram problems, and if so, whether such activity pattern replicates the previous work of Kounios et al. (2006). We found that prior to anagram presentation, there is greater ventral left-hemisphere high-beta band activity preceding solution by insight and a marginally significant trend toward greater posterior activity preceding solution by analysis. Overall, the similarities and differences between prestimulus insight and analytic processing for anagrams compared to compound remote associates problems show no evidence for single, general insight or analytic preparatory states that apply across tasks. Nevertheless, the results suggest that there may be core features of insight and analytic prestimulus activity that do generalize across tasks.

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