title: Temporal dynamics of mental impasses underlying insight-like problem solving.
abstract: Insight problem solving is characterized by mental impasses, states of mind in which the problem solver does not know what to do next. Although many studies have investigated the neural correlates of insight problem solving, however, the question when mental impasses occur during insight problem solving has been rarely studied. The present study adopted high temporal resolution ERPs to investigate the temporal dynamics of an impasse underlying insight problem solving. Time locked ERPs were recorded associated with problems with impasses (PWI) and problems without impasses (POI). The problem types were determined by participants' subjective responses. The results revealed an early frontocentral P2 was linked with the preconscious awareness of mental impasses and a P3a was associated with fixed attention when the impasse formed. These findings suggest the impasse may occur initially at a relatively early stage and metacognition plays an important role in insight problem solving.
authors.affiliation: Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience and School of Psychology, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210097, China.
authors.forename: Wangbing
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: Chang
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Yuan
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Xiaojiang
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Luo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001931:Brain Mapping; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005071:Evoked Potentials / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D005625:Frontal Lobe / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010775:Photic Stimulation; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D011597:Psychomotor Performance / Q000502:physiology; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult