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Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open Access
Published (Version of record)CC BY-NC-ND V4.0, Open
Journal article
Getting a grip on insight: real-time and embodied Aha experiences predict correct solutions
Cognition and emotion, Vol.35(5), pp.918-935
04/07/2021
PMID: 33829955
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Source: InCites
Abstract
Insight experiences are sudden, persuasive, and can accompany valuable new ideas in science and art. In this preregistered experiment, we aim to validate a novel visceral and continuous measure of insight problem solving and to test whether real-time and embodied feelings of insight can predict correct solutions. We report several findings. Consistent with recent work, we find a strong positive relationship between Aha moments and accuracy for problems that demand implicit processing. We also found that the intensity of the insight experience further predicted the accuracy of solutions and participants naturally embodied the intensity of their insight experiences by squeezing the dynamometer more tightly. Intriguingly, this unintentional embodiment further predicted the accuracy of solutions. We suggest that the dynamometer complements previous measures by (1) simultaneously capturing both process and feeling in real-time, (2) highlights the value of measuring Aha moments on a continuum of intensity, and (3) firmly establishes that the impulsive feeling of Aha can carry information about the veracity of an idea. We discuss the findings in light of a recent theoretical account of how feelings of insight may act as a heuristic to select ideas from the stream of consciousness.
Details
- Title
- Getting a grip on insight: real-time and embodied Aha experiences predict correct solutions
- Creators
- Ruben E. Laukkonen - Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamDaniel J. Ingledew - University of QueenslandHilary J. Grimmer - University of QueenslandJonathan W. Schooler - University of California, Santa BarbaraJason M. Tangen - University of Queensland
- Publication Details
- Cognition and emotion, Vol.35(5), pp.918-935
- Publisher
- Routledge
- Identifiers
- 991013062313702368
- Copyright
- © 2021 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives License (http://creativecommons. org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/), which permits non-commercial re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, and is not altered, transformed, or built upon in any way.
- Academic Unit
- Faculty of Health
- Language
- English
- Resource Type
- Journal article