Temporal dynamics of mental impasses underlying insight-like problem solving  

作　　者：SHEN WangBing LIU Chang YUAN Yuan ZHANG XiaoJiang LUO Jin 

机构地区：[1]Lab of Cognitive Neuroscience and School of Psychology,Nanjing Normal University [2]Beijing Key Laboratory of Learning and Cognition,Capital Normal University [3]Key Laboratory of Mental Health,Institute of Psychology,Chinese Academy of Sciences

出　　处：《Science China(Life Sciences)》2013年第3期284-290,共7页中国科学（生命科学英文版）

基　　金：supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (2010CB833904);Research Innovation Program for College Graduates of Jiangsu Province (CXLX12_0353, CXLX12_0351);the Fourth High-level Personnel Training Project in Jiangsu Province

摘　　要：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.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 reso- lution 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 de- termined 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.

关 键 词：insight problem solving METACOGNITION mental impasse event-related potential （ERP） P200 

分 类 号：R395[哲学宗教—心理学]