title: New insights into insight: Neurophysiological correlates of the difference between the intrinsic "aha" and the extrinsic "oh yes" moment.
abstract: Insight refers to a situation in which a problem solver immediately changes his understanding of a problem situation. This representational change can either be triggered by external stimuli, like a hint or the solution itself, or by internal solution attempts. In the present paper, the differences and similarities between these two phenomena, namely "extrinsic" and "intrinsic" insight, are examined. To this end, electroencephalogram (EEG) is recorded while subjects either recognize or generate solutions to German verbal compound remote associate problems (CRA). Based on previous studies, we compare the alpha power prior to insightful solution recognition with the alpha power prior to insightful solution generation. Results show that intrinsic insights are preceded by an increase in alpha power at right parietal electrodes, while extrinsic insights are preceded by a respective decrease. These results can be interpreted in two ways. In consistency with other studies, the increase in alpha power before intrinsic insights can be interpreted as an increased internal focus of attention. Accordingly, the decrease in alpha power before extrinsic insights may be associated with a more externally oriented focus of attention. Alternatively, the increase in alpha power prior to intrinsic insights can be interpreted as an active inhibition of solution-related information, while the alpha power decrease prior to extrinsic insights may reflect its activation. Regardless of the interpretation, the results provide strong evidence that extrinsic and intrinsic insight differ on the behavioral as well as the neurophysiological level.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Sciences, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany. Electronic address: katrin.rothmaler@informatik.hu-berlin.de.
authors.forename: Katrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rothmaler
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Otto-von-Guericke-University Magdeburg, Postfach 4120, 39106 Magdeburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Nigbur
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099 Berlin, Germany; Institute for Applied Informatics at Leipzig University, Hainstraße 11, 04109 Leipzig, Germany; Information Systems Institute, Leipzig University, Grimmaische Straße 12, 04109 Leipzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Galina
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ivanova
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000513:Alpha Rhythm / Q000502:physiology; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003405:Creativity; D004569:Electroencephalography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007802:Language; D008297:Male; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Alpha power; EEG; Insight; Problem solving; Right hemisphere; Solution recognition