Discuss Differences in Brain Activity Associated with Solving a Problem

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Examlex · Accepted Answer

The Answer is The answer should include the following information: (1) A spike of electrical activity occurs in the front part of the right temporal lobe about one-third of a second before an insightful solution is reached. This pattern of electrical activity does not occur when problems are solved through analytic strategies; (2) Although this spike in right temporal lobe electrical activity occurs most closely with the insightful solution, experiments in cognitive psychology suggest that insight probably is the result of more incremental unconscious processes. Brain-imaging studies support this view. In the moments before an insightful solution is reached, there is enhanced activity in the anterior cingulate. Researchers believe that this area of the brain allows individuals to detect weakly activated associations that could aid in problem solving at the subconscious level. When the strength of these associations passes a threshold level, the spike in right temporal lobe electrical activity is triggered, and people report an insightful solution "popping" into their mind; (3) Some people tend to experience insight more than others. Insight problem solvers tend to have higher resting levels of right cerebral hemisphere electrical activity than more analytic problem solvers.

Discuss Differences in Brain Activity Associated with Solving a Problem

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