Generation and the subjective feeling of “aha!” are independently related to learning from insight

Abstract

It has been proposed that sudden insight into the solutions of problems can enhance long-term memory for those solutions. However, the nature of insight has been operationalized differently across studies. Here, we examined two main aspects of insight problem-solving—the generation of a solution and the subjective “aha!” experience—and experimentally evaluated their respective relationships to long-term memory formation (encoding). Our results suggest that generation (generated solution vs. presented solution) and the “aha!” experience (“aha!” vs. no “aha!”) are independently related to learning from insight, as well as to the emotional response towards understanding the solution during encoding. Moreover, we analyzed the relationship between generation and the “aha!” experience and two different kinds of later memory tests, direct (intentional) and indirect (incidental). Here, we found that the generation effect was larger for indirect testing, reflecting more automatic retrieval processes, while the relationship with the occurrence of an “aha!” experience was somewhat larger for direct testing. Our results suggest that both the generation of a solution and the subjective experience of “aha!” indicate processes that benefit long-term memory formation, though differently. This beneficial effect is possibly due to the intrinsic reward associated with sudden comprehension and the detection of schema-consistency, i.e., that novel information can be easily integrated into existing knowledge.

Problem Solving as an Encoding Task: A Special Case of the Generation Effect

“…is better than for problems encoded without Aha! (Danek et al, 2013a;Dominowski & Buyer, 2000;Kizilirmak et al, 2015). Such an Aha!…”

“…experience was phrased such that generation was not a necessary precondition; the solution could still be comprehended suddenly, appearing utterly convincing and clear as day when it was comprehended after it was presented following a failed attempt at problem solving. Using this procedure, Kizilirmak et al (2015) found that the Aha! experience was accompanied by a more positive feeling and better memory performance independent of whether the solution to a problem was generated or not.…”

“…are then designated as "insight" solutions. However, Kizilirmak et al (2015) asked participants whether they experienced an Aha! moment not only when they generated a solution, but also when they failed to do so and were shown the solution instead.…”

“…Previous findings suggest that solving problems through insight can enhance later memory for the problem and solution (Ash, Jee, & Wiley, 2012;Danek, Fraps, von Müller, Grothe, & Öllinger, 2013a;Dominowski & Buyer, 2000;Kizilirmak, Galvao Gomes da Silva, Imamoglu, & Richardson-Klavehn, 2015). The core definition of an insight, as considered in this paper, is the sudden comprehension of a relationship that until that moment appeared incomprehensible.…”

“…In a previous study employing a pictorial problem-solving task, successfully generating a solution as compared to being presented with a solution after failing to generate one, experiencing insight (i.e., a feeling of Aha! consisting of surprise and being convinced of the truth of the solution) as compared to no insight, and the positive emotional response to successful generation and insight, were all beneficially related to learning (Kizilirmak et al, 2015). Here, we further illuminate the impact of generating a solution to a problem by additionally examining a "no-chanceto-solve" condition in which the solution was immediately provided together with the problem, thus bypassing the chance to generate, thereby linking our study more closely with the numerous traditional memory studies on the generation effect (see next subsection).…”