The difference between induced insight by hints and induced insight by answers: an event-related potential study

We can solve insight problems by ourselves, by hints or by answers. This study compared the temporal features of different types of insight (spontaneous insight, induced insight by hints and induced insight by answers). Fifteen college students participated in the Chinese Remote Association Task. If they did not come up with an answer, the cue word was presented. Finally, they needed to judge whether the answer was correct or not. Participants’ brain electroencephalography–event-related potentials (ERPs) were recorded. Induced insight by hints elicited a more negative ERP deflection than spontaneous insight within 260–400 ms (N2). Induced insight by hints and induced insight by answers elicited a more negative late negative component (LNC) than spontaneous insight. Induced insight by hints elicited a more positive ERP deflection than induced insight by answers and spontaneous insight in the right frontal area. Spontaneous insight and induced insight by answers elicited a more positive ERP deflection than induced insight by hints in the right part of the central region. When solving insight problems, the N2 may be related to representation restructuring. The first LNC may be related to the breaking of mental set. The positive component of the right frontal area before pressing the button may be related to the formation of novel associations, and the positive component of the right part of the central region may be related to the intensity of the ‘Aha!’ experience.