Insight in problem solving : developing a neural network theoretical account of the processes involved in attaining insight

Insight In Problem Solving: Developing A Neural Network Theoretical Account Of The Processes Involved In Attaining Insight Karen A. Roberts BA BSocSci(Hons) Insight has enjoyed the reputation of an elusive phenomenon in psychology and insight problems are very difficult to solve. Only very specific hints concerning their solution have been found to significantly increase the number of problem solvers who are able to solve insight problems. The result of this has been to suggest that insight does not exist, that it is a mysterious phenomenon, or that it is an aspect of problem solving which we have so far failed to understand. Insight in problem solving is investigated from the perspective that the phenomenon needs explanation and it is argued that, while insight has been operationally defined and a clear set of key empirical findings have been established, the conceptual explanation of insight has been largely ignored. It is suggested that a conceptual account of insight is needed so that this aspect of cognitive processing can be incorporated into the main body of cognitive research on problem solving. The current tension in cognitive science and cognitive psychology is examined and it is argued that writing a conceptual account of insight in neural network theoretical terms will not only advance our understanding of insight, but will also reflect on the debate in cognitive theory. This is a result of its status as an aspect of problem solving and as a phenomenon which symbolic theory has so far failed to offer a clear explanation for. A conceptual account of insight in neural network terms is advanced which offers a comprehensive account of the key empirical findings on insight. It is suggested that insight can be understood as the recognition of a pattern to insight problems. Predictions derived from the theory suggest that overcoming the effects of past learning, employing conceptual transfer, and fostering expertise at insight problem solving will significantly facilitate insightful problem solution. These predictions are submitted to experimental testing with 152 participants who are required to solve the nine-dot problem. Facilitation was measured in terms of time to solution and the number of participants who correctly solved insight problems. ·l analyses revealed no significant differences in the number of participants who successfully solved the nine-dot problem following interventions to overcome the effects of past learning (X< 1> 2 = 2,087, p > 0,05), or to facilitate conceptual transfer 2 (X<J> = 3,542, p > 0,05). Pearson's correlation coefficient revealed no significant correlation in ability to solve insight problems, offering no support for the prediction that it is possible to display expertise at insight problem solving. The findings are not interpreted as a rejection of the viability of the neural network account of insight in problem solving due to the limited number of participants who were able to solve the nine-dot problem in the facilitated and unfacilitated conditions. It is suggested that the neural network account of insight needs further investigation and that the conceptual account offers the most comprehensive account