Getting a grip on insight: real-time and embodied Aha experiences predict correct solutions.
Ruben E Laukkonen, Daniel J Ingledew, Hilary J Grimmer, Jonathan W Schooler, Jason M Tangen
Cognition & Emotion August 1, 2021 DOI: 10.1080/02699931.2021.1908230 (opens in new tab) via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractIn a preregistered experiment, participants solved problems while squeezing a dynamometer to capture real-time feelings of insight. A strong positive relationship emerged between Aha moments and accuracy for problems requiring implicit processing. The intensity of the insight experience further predicted solution accuracy, and participants unintentionally embodied this intensity by squeezing the dynamometer more tightly, which also predicted accuracy. The authors argue that the dynamometer captures both process and feeling simultaneously, measures Aha moments on a continuum, and shows that the feeling of Aha carries information about an idea's veracity. Findings are discussed in light of a theoretical account where feelings of insight act as a heuristic for selecting ideas from consciousness.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Preregistered experiment Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Insight Aha Creativity Embodied cognition Emotion |
| Key finding | Aha moments and their intensity positively predicted accuracy for problems requiring implicit processing, and unintentional embodiment of insight intensity via dynamometer squeeze further predicted accuracy. |
Abstract
Insight experiences are sudden, persuasive, and can accompany valuable new ideas in science and art. In this preregistered experiment, we aim to validate a novel visceral and continuous measure of insight problem solving and to test whether real-time and embodied feelings of insight can predict correct solutions. We report several findings. Consistent with recent work, we find a strong positive relationship between Aha moments and accuracy for problems that demand implicit processing. We also found that the intensity of the insight experience further predicted the accuracy of solutions and participants naturally embodied the intensity of their insight experiences by squeezing the dynamometer more tightly. Intriguingly, this unintentional embodiment further predicted the accuracy of solutions. We suggest that the dynamometer complements previous measures by (1) simultaneously capturing both process and feeling in real-time, (2) highlights the value of measuring Aha moments on a continuum of intensity, and (3) firmly establishes that the impulsive feeling of Aha can carry information about the veracity of an idea. We discuss the findings in light of a recent theoretical account of how feelings of insight may act as a heuristic to select ideas from the stream of consciousness.