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Ling Y, Tan L, Zhang L, Cao G. Unconscious processing of prototype heuristics in scientific innovation problem-solving. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1056045. [PMID: 36910757 PMCID: PMC9996053 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1056045] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Previously published studies on the effect of how different levels of unconsciousness (UC) and different loads of executive functions (EFs) affect insight problem solving are inconsistent. In a set of three experiments, we used scientific innovation problems (SIP) as insight metrics and distractor tasks to induce UC. Experiment 1 confirmed that, compared with conscious processing, unconscious processing is more conducive to obtaining prototype heuristics for correctly solving scientific innovation problems creatively. Furthermore, Experiment 2 found that different levels of unconscious processing, which were induced by different distractor tasks, made a different impact on high or low difficulty creative problem solving. Experiment 3 indicated that unconscious processing could improve prototype activation and the ability to use key heuristics information in prototype heuristics processing by improving working memory, inhibitory control, and shifting ability of EFs. Overall, the present results provide additional evidence for the role of consciousness levels in insight problem solving.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yushi Ling
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
| | - Liu Tan
- The High School Attached to Hunan Normal University-Meixihu High School, Changsha, China
| | - Liyi Zhang
- Institute of Marxism, Chongqing Medical and Pharmaceutical College, Chongqing, China
| | - Guikang Cao
- Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing, China
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2
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Dandan T, Jingjing S, Ruolin Z, Peng L, Xiaojing G, Qinglin Z, Jiang Q. Right inferior frontal gyrus gray matter density mediates the effect of tolerance of ambiguity on scientific problem finding. CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY 2022. [DOI: 10.1007/s12144-022-04007-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
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3
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Yang W, Green AE, Chen Q, Kenett YN, Sun J, Wei D, Qiu J. Creative problem solving in knowledge-rich contexts. Trends Cogn Sci 2022; 26:849-859. [PMID: 35868956 DOI: 10.1016/j.tics.2022.06.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Revised: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
Creative problem solving (CPS) in real-world contexts often relies on reorganization of existing knowledge to serve new, problem-relevant functions. However, classic creativity paradigms that minimize knowledge content are generally used to investigate creativity, including CPS. We argue that CPS research should expand consideration of knowledge-rich problem contexts, both in novices and experts within specific domains. In particular, paradigms focusing on creative analogical transfer of knowledge may reflect CPS skills that are applicable to real-world problem solving. Such paradigms have begun to provide process-level insights into cognitive and neural characteristics of knowledge-rich CPS and point to multiple avenues for fruitfully expanding inquiry into the role of crystalized knowledge in creativity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenjing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Adam E Green
- Department of Psychology and Interdisciplinary Program in Neuroscience, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Qunlin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Yoed N Kenett
- Faculty of Industrial Engineering and Management, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Jiangzhou Sun
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Dongtao Wei
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, 400715, China
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education, Chongqing 400715, China; Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University (SWU), Chongqing, 400715, China.
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Common and specific neural correlates underlying insight and ordinary problem solving. Brain Imaging Behav 2021; 15:1374-1387. [PMID: 32710333 DOI: 10.1007/s11682-020-00337-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
Previous studies have investigated the cognitive and neural mechanisms underlying insight problem solving (INPS). However, it is still unclear which mechanisms are common to both INPS and ordinary problem solving (ORPS), and which are distinctly involved in only one of these processes. In this study, we selected two types of Chinese character chunk decompositions, ordinary Chinese character chunk decomposition (OCD) and creative Chinese character chunk decomposition (CCD), as representatives of ORPS and INPS, respectively. By using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to record brain activations when subjects executed OCD or CCD operations, we found that both ORPS and INPS resulted in significant activations in the widespread frontoparietal cognitive control network, including the middle frontal gyrus, inferior frontal gyrus, and inferior parietal lobe. Furthermore, compared with ORPS, INPS led to greater activations in higher-level brain regions related to symbolic processing in the default mode network, including the anterior cingulate cortex, superior temporal gyrus, angular gyrus, and precuneus. Conversely, ORPS induced greater activations than INPS in more posterior brain regions related to visuospatial attention and visual perception, such as the inferior temporal gyrus, hippocampus, and middle occipital gyrus/superior parietal gyrus/fusiform gyrus. In addition, an ROI analysis corroborated the neural commonalities and differences between ORPS and INPS. These findings provide new evidence that ORPS and INPS rely on common as well as distinct cognitive processes and cortical mechanisms.
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Zhu W, Yang W, Ming D, Qiu J, Tian F, Chen Q, Cao G, Zhang Q. Individual Differences in Brain Structure and Resting Brain Function Underlie Representation-Connection in Scientific Problem Solving. CREATIVITY RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/10400419.2019.1602461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Zhu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Wenjing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Dan Ming
- Research Institute of Nuclear Power Operation
| | - Jiang Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Fang Tian
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qunlin Chen
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Guikang Cao
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
| | - Qinglin Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Cognition and Personality (SWU), Ministry of Education Faculty of Psychology, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China
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Critical thinking and regional gray matter volume interact to predict representation connection in scientific problem solving. Exp Brain Res 2019; 237:2035-2044. [PMID: 31165914 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-019-05517-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Representation connection (RC) is a stable ability that significantly predicts the accuracy of scientific innovation problem solving while critical thinking has been strongly related to problem solving. However, the neural mechanisms underlying this relationship have not been assessed. Using voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and scientific innovation problem solving materials, we investigated the correlation between RC and regional gray matter volume (rGMV) in healthy young participants. We found that RC was positively correlated with rGMV in the right superior temporal gyrus (STG) and in a cluster in the left medial frontal gyrus (MFG). These results indicate that increased rGMV in the right STG may lead to the ability to overcome misdirection more easily, which may result in better semantic integration of the "certain construction" of heuristic prototypes. Increased rGMV in the left MFG may be associated with forming novel associations and retrieving matched unsolved technical problems from memory. Further analysis revealed that the interaction between critical thinking and rGMV predicted RC in insightful problem solving, and found that higher rGMV was correlated with higher RC in participants with lower cognitive maturity, but not in participants with higher cognitive maturity. These findings suggest that rGMV could interact with cognitive maturity to modulate RC in insightful problem solving.
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Zhao Y, Zhang Z, Xu W, Zhang Q. Promoting Insight in Scientific Innovation: The Effects of Function-Construction Maps. CREATIVITY RESEARCH JOURNAL 2019. [DOI: 10.1080/10400419.2019.1578723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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8
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Hippocampus and amygdala: An insight-related network involved in metaphorical solution to mental distress problem. COGNITIVE AFFECTIVE & BEHAVIORAL NEUROSCIENCE 2019; 19:1022-1035. [DOI: 10.3758/s13415-019-00702-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
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9
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Xing Q, Rong C, Lu Z, Yao Y, Zhang Z, Zhao X. The Effect of the Embodied Guidance in the Insight Problem Solving: An Eye Movement Study. Front Psychol 2018; 9:2257. [PMID: 30534097 PMCID: PMC6275308 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2018.02257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2018] [Accepted: 10/30/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Insight is an important cognitive process in creative thinking. The present research applied embodied cognitive perspective to explore the effect of embodied guidance on insight problem solving and its underlying mechanisms by two experiments. Experiment 1 used the matchstick arithmetic problem to explore the role of embodied gestures guidance in problem solving. The results showed that the embodied gestures facilitate the participants’ performance. Experiment 2 investigated how embodied attention guidance affects insight problem solving. The results showed that participants performed better in prototypical guidance condition. Experiment 2a adopted the Duncker’s radiation problem to explore how embodied behavior and prototypical guidance influence problem solving by attention tracing techniques. Experiment 2b aimed to further examine whether implicit attention transfer was the real cause which resulted in participants over-performing in prototypical guidance condition in Experiment 2a. The results demonstrated that overt physical motion was unnecessary for individuals to experience the benefits of embodied guidance in problem solving, which supported the reciprocal relation hypothesis of saccades and attention. In addition, the questionnaire completed after experiments showed that participants did not realize the relation between guidance and insight problem solving. Taken together, the current study provided further evidence for that embodied gesture and embodied attention both facilitated the insight problem solving and the facilitation is implicit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiang Xing
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Cuiliang Rong
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zheyi Lu
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yanfeng Yao
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China.,Jiangcun Primary School, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zhonglu Zhang
- Department of Psychology, School of Education, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xue Zhao
- Shunde Experiment Middle School, Foshan, China
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Lin J, Cui X, Dai X, Chen Y, Mo L. Neural correlates of creative insight: Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation of resting-state brain activity predicts creative insight. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203071. [PMID: 30161187 PMCID: PMC6117043 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2018] [Accepted: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Creative insight has attracted much attention across cultures. Although previous studies have explored the neural correlates of creative insight by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), little is known about intrinsic resting-state brain activity associated with creative insight. In the present study, we used amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF) as an index in resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) to identify brain regions involved in individual differences in creative insight, which was measured by the response time of creative Chinese character chunk decomposition. Our results showed that ALFF in the superior frontal gyrus (SFG) positively predicted creative insight, while ALFF in the middle cingulate cortex/insula cortex (MCC/IC), superior temporal gyrus/angular gyrus (STG/AG), anterior cingulate cortex/caudate nucleus (ACC/CN), and culmen/declive (CU/DC) negatively predicted creative insight. Moreover, these findings indicate that spontaneous brain activity in multiple regions related to breaking mental sets, solutions exploring, evaluation of novel solutions, forming task-related associations, and emotion experience contributes to creative insight. In conclusion, the present study provides new evidence to further understand the cognitive processing and neural correlates of creative insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabao Lin
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Cui
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Dai
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yajue Chen
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Mo
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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11
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Abstract
Real world problem-solving (RWPS) is what we do every day. It requires flexibility, resilience, resourcefulness, and a certain degree of creativity. A crucial feature of RWPS is that it involves continuous interaction with the environment during the problem-solving process. In this process, the environment can be seen as not only a source of inspiration for new ideas but also as a tool to facilitate creative thinking. The cognitive neuroscience literature in creativity and problem-solving is extensive, but it has largely focused on neural networks that are active when subjects are not focused on the outside world, i.e., not using their environment. In this paper, I attempt to combine the relevant literature on creativity and problem-solving with the scattered and nascent work in perceptually-driven learning from the environment. I present my synthesis as a potential new theory for real world problem-solving and map out its hypothesized neural basis. I outline some testable predictions made by the model and provide some considerations and ideas for experimental paradigms that could be used to evaluate the model more thoroughly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasanth Sarathy
- Human-Robot Interaction Laboratory, Department of Computer Science, Tufts University, Medford, MA, United States
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12
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Lin J, Cui X, Dai X, Mo L. Regional Homogeneity Predicts Creative Insight: A Resting-State fMRI Study. Front Hum Neurosci 2018; 12:210. [PMID: 29875645 PMCID: PMC5974035 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2018.00210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2018] [Accepted: 05/04/2018] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Creative insight plays an important role in our daily life. Previous studies have investigated the neural correlates of creative insight by functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), however, the intrinsic resting-state brain activity associated with creative insight is still unclear. In the present study, we used regional homogeneity (ReHo) as an index in resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) to identify brain regions involved in individual differences in creative insight, which was compued by the response time (RT) of creative Chinese character chunk decomposition. The findings indicated that ReHo in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC)/caudate nucleus (CN) and angular gyrus (AG)/superior temporal gyrus (STG)/inferior parietal lobe (IPL) negatively predicted creative insight. Furthermore, these findings suggested that spontaneous brain activity in multiple regions related to breaking and establishing mental sets, goal-directed solutions exploring, shifting attention, forming new associations and emotion experience contributes to creative insight. In conclusion, the present study provides new evidence to further understand the cognitive processing and neural correlates of creative insight.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiabao Lin
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xuan Cui
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xiaoying Dai
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Lei Mo
- Center for Studies of Psychological Application, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, School of Psychology, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China.,Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
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