Unveiling the Aha! moment: a computational account of insight in active inference
PsyArXiv Preprints July 18, 2026 preprint DOI: osf:3nasx_v3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Computational neuroscience Cognitive neuroscience Cognitive psychology |
| Key points | Proposes that insight can be modeled as Bayesian model reduction in an active inference framework, with impasse as heightened uncertainty and restructuring as model reduction. |
Abstract
Insight, also referred to as the “Aha!” moment, is a distinctive cognitive phenomenon in which an idea or solution to a problem suddenly emerges into consciousness. Although extensively described in the literature, the nature of its distinctive cognitive and affective mechanisms is still poorly understood. In this paper, we formalize a computational approach to insight grounded in the active inference framework. By modeling insight as Bayesian model reduction in a modified Wisconsin Card Sorting Task, we succeed in simulating its distinct affective signature (i.e., its discontinuous nature and burst of confidence) in an artificial agent. In light of those simulations, we regard restructuring as Bayesian model reduction and impasse as a transient state of heightened uncertainty over possible actions. Finally, we propose that, during problem-solving, one regularly engages in phases of (generative) replay to generate and evaluate alternative models for subsequent model reduction.