Behavioral markers of key events of an insight solution

Abstract

The process of insight problem solvingis heterogeneous and is associated withhidden dynamics, which must be taken into account forthe results to be correctly evaluated. Classical approaches to insight that are focuses only on performance indicators or verbal reports are not optimal for studying the procedural component. Indi-rect investigation through related processes (working memory load, physiological processes, behavioral pat-terns) appears to be the most promising. Analysis of the solvers’ behavior enables the examination ofthe insight without interfering with the problem-solvingprocess. Thispaper proposes requirements for a theoreti-cal model, which allows for reliable comparison of behavioral markersand events of an insight solution. A model that meetsthese requirements is proposed and tested. The current study was aimed to find behavioral markers of thekey stages of insightproblem solving(impasseand Aha! experience), emotions and metacog-nitive feelings (obtainedwitha post-experimental questionnaire), accompanying these stages. Thevideo re-cordingsof thesolution of the"Parking" problem by twenty participantswas analyzed. Participants were given a series of tasks. The first six tasks created mental set and the seventh one differed significantly in the way it was solved. This change was believed to provoke overcoming the mental set and lead to insight in solving the key task. Participants solved problems individually online (via Skype). The following behavioral patterns of insightful solution were identified: unblinking gaze, raising eyebrows, smiling, touching the face with hands, biting lips. Analysis of the relationship between the behavioral indicators, the underlying mental processes and metacognitive feelings allowed us to make the following assumptions.The solver's unblinking gaze directed to one point may indicate active operation with representation during an impasse or a representational change. Raising eyebrows and smilemay indicate a positive emotion of surprise that accompanies a representational change. Touching face with hands, scratching head, and biting lips accompany an impasse event and can be associated with negative emotional experiences.In the conclusion, possible ways of further applicationof the proposed method of registration of behavioral patterns of insight are discussed.