The origins of insight in resting-state brain activity.
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.
Kounios
John
J
Department of Psychology, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192, USA. john.kounios@gmail.com
Fleck
Jessica I
JI
Green
Deborah L
DL
Payne
Lisa
L
Stevenson
Jennifer L
JL
Bowden
Edward M
EM
Jung-Beeman
Mark
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007206:Individuality; D008297:Male; D008606:Mental Processes; D010364:Pattern Recognition, Visual / Q000502:physiology; D010775:Photic Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D012146:Rest / Q000502:physiology*