Getting a grip on insight: real-time and embodied Aha experiences predict correct solutions

Area of Science:

• Cognitive Psychology
• Neuroscience
• Creativity Studies

Background:

• Insight experiences are sudden, persuasive, and lead to novel ideas in science and art.
• Existing measures of insight problem-solving may not capture the continuous, embodied nature of the experience.

Purpose of the Study:

• To validate a novel, continuous, visceral measure of insight problem-solving.
• To investigate if real-time, embodied feelings of insight predict correct solutions.

Main Methods:

• A preregistered experiment was conducted using a novel dynamometer measure.
• Participants solved problems requiring implicit processing while their grip force was recorded.
• The intensity and timing of self-reported Aha moments were correlated with solution accuracy and grip force.

Main Results:

• A strong positive relationship was found between Aha moments and accuracy for problems requiring implicit processing.
• The intensity of the insight experience predicted solution accuracy.
• Embodied grip force intensity also predicted solution accuracy, suggesting unintentional embodiment.

Conclusions:

• The novel dynamometer measure captures both the process and feeling of insight in real-time.
• Measuring Aha moments on a continuum of intensity is valuable.
• The feeling of insight carries information about the idea's veracity, potentially acting as a heuristic for idea selection.