The Nature of insight /
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| Imprint: | Cambridge, Mass. : MIT Press, 1995. |
|---|---|
| Description: | p. cm. |
| Language: | English |
| Subject: | |
| Format: | Print Book |
| URL for this record: | http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/1673896 |
Table of Contents:
- Foreword
- Preface
- I. Introduction
- 1. The Search for Insight: Grappling with Gestalt Psychology's Unanswered Questions
- Overview
- Setting the Stage for the Search for Insight: Insight as Nothing New
- Insight as Completing a Schema
- Insight as Suddenly Reorganizing Visual Information
- Insight as Reformulation a Problem
- Insight as Removing Mental Blocks
- Insight as Finding a Problem Analog
- Advancing the Search for Insight
- Note
- References
- 2. Insight and Problem Solving
- Characteristics of Problem Solving
- Relation to Memory
- Reproductive and Productive Thinking
- The Nature of Insight
- Understanding
- Product or Process?
- Situational Influence
- Insight Problems
- Key Concepts
- Fixation
- Functional Fixedness
- Restructuring
- Suddenness of Solution
- Related Issues
- Memory for Solutions
- Promoting Insightful Problem Solving
- Future Directions
- References
- II. The Puzzle-Problem Approach
- 3. Demystification of Cognitive Insight: Opportunistic Assimilation and the Prepared-Mind Perspectiv...
- Definition of Insight
- Virtues of the Present Definition
- Phenomenological Characteristics of Insight
- Alternative Perspectives on Insight
- The Business-as-Usual Perspective
- The Wizard Merlin Perspective
- The Prepared-Mind Perspective
- Past Studies of the Preparation Phase
- Failure to Apply Relevant Prior Information
- Inappropriate Use of Stored Information
- Countervailing Benefits from Prior Knowledge
- Past Studies of the Incubation Phase
- Hypotheses About Incubation Effects
- Laboratory Studies of Mental Incubation
- Expansion of the Prepared-Mind Perspective
- Relevant Notions from Cognitive Science
- The Opportunistic-Assimilation Hypothesis
- Importance of Impasses
- Role of Incubation
- Past Precedents Regarding Opportunistic Assimilation
- Virtues of Opportunistic Assimilation
- Synthesis of Alternative Perspectives
- Explanation of Phenomenological Characteristics
- Support from Laboratory Research
- Consistency with Anecdotal Cases
- Relation to Feynman and the Wizard Merlin Perspective
- Studies of Impasses and Opportunistic Assimilation
- Experiment 1-- Answering Problematic Factual Questions
- Method
- Rationale
- Results
- Conclusions
- Experiment 2-- Remembering Failed Solution Attempts
- Method
- Rationale
- Results
- Conclusions
- Further Implications of the Present Experiments
- Toward an Information-Processing Model of Insight
- Substages of the Preparation Phase
- Stage 1a-- Confrontation with a Problem
- Stage 1b-- Construal of Failure
- Stage 1c-- Storage of Failure Indices in Memory
- Stage 1d-- Suspension of Initial Processing
- Substages of the Incubation Phase
- Stage 2a-- Intermediate Incubation
- Stage 2b-- External Exposure to New Information
- Stage 2c-- Retrieval of Failure Indices
- Substages of the Illumination Phase
- Stage 3a-- Interpretation and Assimilation
- Stage 3b-- Insight
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgments
- References
- 4. The Suddenness of Insight
- Conventional Views of Insight
- The Special-Process View
- The Nothing-Special View
- Theory of Selection in Insight
- Selective Encoding
- Selective Combination
- Selective Comparison
- How These Processes Lead to Insight
- Predicting Differences in Intelligent Behavior
- Research Testing the Three-Process Theory
- Extending the Three-Process Theory of Insight
- New Test of the Three-Process Theory
- Predictions
- Method
- Subjects
- Materials
- Design
- Procedure
- Results
- Descriptive Statistics and Correlations
- Problem-Solving Performance and Intelligence
- Warmth Ratings
- Discussion
- Conclusions
- General Problem-Solving Processes in Insight
- Transfer of Learning
- Evaluating the Three-Process Theory of Insight
- References
- 5. Prolegomena to Theories of Insight in Problem Solving: A Taxonomy of Problems
- Insight in Problem Solving
- Productive Versus Reproduction Thinking
- Defining Insight
- A Taxonomy of Problems Based on Restructuring and Insight
- Continuity Versus Discontinuity
- Discontinuity Versus Restructuring
- Different Types of Insight Problems
- Applying the Taxonomy: Insight in Solving Insight Problems?
- Insight Problems in which No Insight Occurs
- Brainteasers and Riddles
- Mathematical Problems
- Problems in which Restructuring can Occur
- Brainteasers and Riddles
- Geometrical Problems
- Manipulative Problems
- Mathematical Problems
- Conclusions and Implications
- Questions of Validity
- Insight Problems Without Insight
- Insight Solutions with and Without Restructuring
- Changes in Representation Without Insight
- Comparison with Other Taxonomies
- Heterogeneity of Restructuring: Implications for Theories
- Acknowledgements
- Notes
- Appendix A. Taxonomy of Problems
- 1. Does the problem involve discontinuity in thinking?
- 2. Does discontinuity come about through restructuring and insight?
- 3. Is restructuring the only way the solution can come about?
- 4. Is restructuring used by this specific subject to solve this problem?
- 5. How was the restructuring brought about?
- Appendix B. -- Selection of Problems Used for Classification
- Brainteasers and Riddles
- Geometrical Problems
- Manipulative Problems
- Mathematical Problems
- Appendix C. Insight Problems that do Not Involve Restructuring
- Appendix D. Insight Problems
- References
- 6. Cognitive and Affective Components of Insight
- Insight and the Process of Problem Solving
- The Problem-Solving Process
- Insight and Constraints on the Problem-Solving Process
- Insight and the Problem Solver
- Insight and the Affective Component
- Insight and Dimensions of Difficulty in Problem Solving
- Conceptual Access of Representation
- Construction of Novel Representation
- Procedural Application of Representation
- Comparison to Other Views
- Achieving a Change in Representation
- The Role of Hints
- Heuristics for Achieving a Change in Representation
- Conclusions and Implications
- Acknowledgment
- Note
- References
- 7. Getting into and Out of Mental Ruts: A Theory of Fixation, Incubation, and Insight
- Spinning your Wheels
- Incremental Progress Versus Restructuring in Insight
- A Proposed View of Insight
- Definitions
- Fixation
- Fixation in Memory
- Fixation in Problem Solving
- Incubation
- Experimental Evidence of Incubation Effects
- Getting Out of Mental Ruts
- Acknowledgments
- References
- III. The Invention-Based Approach
- 8. Creative Insight and Preinventive Forms
- Insight and Creative Cognition
- Preinventive Forms
- Divergent Insight Using Preinventive Forms
- Divergent Insight and Suspending Expertise
- Practical Development and Refinement of Inventions
- Divergent Exploration Along Multiple Paths
- Conceptual Interpretations of Preinventive Forms
- The Geneplore Model
- Generative Processes
- Preinventive Structures
- Preinventive Properties
- Exploratory Processes
- Product Constraints
- Practical Implications
- Product Development
- Scientific and Conceptual Advances
- Creativity Training in the Sciences
- Creative Artificial Intelligence
- References
- 9. Constraints on Thinking in Insight and Invention
- Insight and Invention as Problem-Solving Phenomena
- Insight: Releasing Unwarranted Constraints
- Initial Representation Selection
- Releasing Operator Constraints
- Invention: Constraint Operations During the Generation and Analysis of Novel Solutions
- Generative Versus Analytical Problem Solving
- The Three Phases of Invention
- Design Space Limitation
- Design Generation
- Initial Invention Constraints: Implicit Analogies
- Reformulating Invention Constraints: Analogical and Combinatory Play
- Design Analysis
- Analyzing Analogies
- Analyzing Designs: Imposing Constraints
- Conclusions
- Acknowledgments
- Appendix A. -- Insight Problems and their Solutions
- References
- IV. The Great-Minds Approach
- 10. Creative Insight: The Social Dimension of a Solitary Moment
- General Observations About Creative Insight
- Multistage Models of Creative Insight
- Social Process Models of Creativity
- An Interpsychic Model of Creative Insight
- Preparation
- Incubation
- Level 1-- Conscious Attention (Serial Processing)
- Level 2-- Semiconscious Filters
- Level 3-- Subconscious Processing Entities, or the Society of Mind
- The Three Levels Functioning Synchronously
- Insight
- Evaluation and Elaboration
- Narratives of Creative Insight
- Presented Problem Solving
- Preparation
- Incubation
- Insight
- Evaluation
- Discovered Problem Finding
- Preparation
- Incubation
- Insight
- Elaboration
- Discussion
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgment
- Notes
- References
- 11. How Scientists Really Reason: Scientific Reasoning in Real-World Laboratories
- In Vitro Research
- Simulating the Discovery of Genetic Control
- In Vivo Research: Real-World Study of Scientists' Reasoning
- How Scientists Really Think
- Method
- Selection of Laboratories
- Laboratory A
- Laboratory B
- Laboratory C
- Laboratory D
- Selection of Research Projects for Investigation
- Data Collection Procedure
- Data Analysis
- Transcription
- Coding
- Overall Results
- Mechanisms Underlying Conceptual Change and Insight
- Inconsistent Results and Conceptual Change
- Analogy and Conceptual Change
- Local Analogies
- Regional Analogies
- Long-Distance Analogies
- Analogy Use and Social Structure
- Analogy Use and Expertise
- Social Context and Conceptual Change
- On Serendipity
- Risk!
- How to Make a Discovery
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Notes
- References
- 12. Insight and Affect in the History of Science
- Definitions of Insight
- Perception and Thought
- Cognitive Gap-Filling Behavior
- Other Structural Transformations
- Varieties of Sudden Change
- Some Insights in the History of Science
- Kinds of Error
- Telescoping
- Rationalization
- Decontextualization
- Archimedes' Bath
- Kekule's Dreams
- Kekule's Account of His Reveries
- The Evolving Systems Approach to Creative Work
- Visualization
- The Critique by Wotiz and Rudofsky
- The Lesson for Students of Insight
- Poincare's Bus
- Poincare on Intuitive Thinking
- Poincare's Account of His Insight: Seven Steps
- The Importance of Purpose
- Einstein's Phases
- Insight and Affect
- The Feeling Tone of Darwin's Malthusian Moment
- Piaget's Joy
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- Note
- References
- 13. The Inception of Insight
- Perceptual Rehearsal: Making the Invisible Visible
- The Distillation of Inceptions
- Feelings of Knowing as the Selection Touchstone
- Constructing a Mental Model
- Conclusions
- References
- V. The Metaphors-Of-Mind Approach
- 14. Foresight in Insight? A Darwinian Answer
- Insight
- Some Illustrations
- Introspections
- Anecdotes
- Some Clarifications
- How Chaotic is the Insight Process?
- How Cognizant are we of the Insight Process?
- Foresight
- Preparation
- Long-Term Preparation
- Short-Term Preparation
- Prediction
- Personal Prognosis
- Social Prophecy
- Postscript
- References
- 15. Insight in Minds and Genes
- Human Insight: The Case of Darwin
- Creative Systems
- Evolutionary Insight
- The Case of Birds
- The Creatures of the Burgess Shale
- Possibility Spaces
- Klondike Spaces and Homing Spaces
- Homing Spaces
- Klondike Spaces
- Insight in Minds and Genes
- Other Klondike Spaces
- Artificial Evolution
- Perceptual Shifts
- Humor
- Insightfulness in Minds and Genes
- Other Views of Insight
- Selective Encoding, Combination, and Comparison
- Indexing and Retrieval Mechanisms
- Problem Restructuring
- Incubation
- In Summary
- Are Genes Insightful After All?
- Knowledge-Driven Thinking
- Generating Good Bets
- Brainstorming
- Looking for Generativity
- Pursuing Promise
- Insightful Genes
- Acknowledgment
- References
- 16. An Investment Perspective on Creative Insight
- Investment and Creative Insight
- What Almost Everyone Knows and Almost No One Does
- Buy Low, Sell High: A Key to Creative Insight
- The Element of Risk
- Two Kinds of Risk
- Problem Framing
- Taking Risks
- Investment Strategies
- Technical Analysis
- Fundamental Analysis
- Investment Vehicles
- Concept Stocks
- Blue-Chip Stocks
- Growth Stocks
- Capital
- Market Demands
- Evaluating Investments
- Costs
- Benefits
- The Investment Metaphor: Limitations and Comments
- References
- Epilogue: Putting Insight into Perspective
- The Definition of Insight
- Two Common Metaphors of Insight
- The Vision Metaphor
- The Problem Space Metaphor
- Combining the Vision and Spatial Metaphors
- The Causes of Impasses
- Recognition Failure
- The Overemphasis of Irrelevant Cues
- The Underemphasis of Relevant Cues
- Searching the Wrong Space
- How Impasses are Overcome
- Improving Solving Recognition
- Deemphasizing Inappropriate Problem Elements
- Forgetting
- Changing Context
- Accessing Appropriate Problem Elements
- Cues in the Environment
- Unconscious Retrieval
- Searching for a New Problem Representation
- Recognizing that One is Lost
- Attributes Associated with the Ability to Find Alternative Approaches
- Perseverance
- Risk Taking
- Playfulness
- Broad Knowledge
- The Ability to Recognize Analogies
- The Flash of Insight: Overcoming an Impasse and Sudden Solution
- Further Evidence for the Perceptual Nature of Insight
- Potential Shared Sources of Suddenness in Perception and Insight
- Not Consciously Mediated
- Coherence
- Relating Insight to Other Types of Thought
- Noninsight Problem Solving
- Hybrid Problem Solving
- Using the Wrong Process at the Wrong Time
- Conclusion
- Acknowledgments
- References
- Contributors
- Author Index
- Subject Index