Temporal dynamics of mental impasses underlying insight-like problem solving

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.

顿悟的大脑机制

自从柯勒 1917年提出顿悟的概念以来 ,这个问题一直吸引着心理学家的关注。但有关顿悟过程的精确的大脑机制却始终未被触及。从心理过程上看 ,顿悟是一个瞬间实现的、问题解决视角的“新旧交替”过程 ;它包含两个方面 ,一是新的有效的问题解决思路如何实现 ,二是旧的无效的思路如何被抛弃 (即打破思维定势 )。我们以谜语作为材料 ,利用功能性磁共振成像 (fMRI)技术精确记录了人类的大脑在实现顿悟的一瞬间的活动状况。结果显示顿悟过程激活了包括额叶、颞叶、扣带前回以及海马在内的广泛脑区。根据各方面的综合证据 ,该文认为 :顿悟过程中 ,新异而有效的联系的形成依赖于海马 ,问题表征方式的有效转换依赖于一个“非语言的”视觉空间信息加工网络 。