"Aha!": The neural correlates of verbal insight solutions

• Published in: Human brain mapping Vol. 30; no. 3; pp. 908 - 916
• Main Authors: Aziz-Zadeh, Lisa, Kaplan, Jonas T., Iacoboni, Marco
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken Wiley Subscription Services, Inc., A Wiley Company 01.03.2009; Wiley-Liss
• Subjects: Adult; anagrams; Biological and medical sciences; Brain - physiology; Brain Mapping; Creativity; Female; fMRI; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; insight solutions; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Nervous system; Neural Pathways - physiology; Perception; Photic Stimulation; Problem Solving - physiology; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychology. Psychophysiology; Radiodiagnosis. Nmr imagery. Nmr spectrometry; Reaction Time; Vision; fMRI; Nervous system diseases; insight solutions; Radiodiagnosis; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; Creativity; anagrams
• ISSN: 1065-9471; 1097-0193; 1097-0193
• DOI: 10.1002/hbm.20554

What are the neural correlates of insight solutions? To explore this question we asked participants to perform an anagram task while in the fMRI scanner. Previous research indicates that anagrams are unique in that they can yield both insight and search solutions in expert subjects. Using a single‐trial fMRI paradigm, we utilized the anagram methodology to explore the neural correlates of insight versus search solutions. We used both reaction time measures and subjective reports to classify each trial as a search or insight solution. Data indicate that verbal insight solutions activate a distributed neural network that includes bilateral activation in the insula, the right prefrontal cortex, and the anterior cingulate. These areas are discussed with their possible role in evaluation and metacognition of insight solutions, as well as attention and monitoring during insight. Hum Brain Mapp, 2009. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.