Event-Related Potential Effects Associated with Insight Problem Solving in a Chinese Logogriph Task

Abstract

The electrophysiological correlates of insight and non-insight problems solving were studied using event- related potentials (ERPs). Participants were given some time to guess Chinese logogriphs and then pre- sented with an answer to judge whether it matched the logogriph. Results showed that the insight trials elicited a more negative ERP deflection (N300-500) than did the non-insight trials in most scalp regions. In a later time window from 600 ms to 1100 ms, the insight trials elicited a more positive ERP deflection (P600-1100) than the non-insight trials, mostly in central regions. The results indicate that the early N300-500 effect may reflect cognitive conflict resulting from the breaking of mental set and the later P600-1100 effect may be related to the formation of novel associations, both crucial to the occurrence of insight.