NOTE: Restrictions are in place to limit access to one or more of the files associated with this item. Authorized users must log in to gain access. Non-authorized users do not have access to these files.
Hacking the Creative Mind: An Empirical Investigation into the Physiological Correlates and Cognitive Priming in Insight Problem-Solving
Abstract
The present dissertation explores the phenomenon of insight by integrating cognitive and physiological perspectives through examining the physiological markers associated with insight and the impact of cognitive priming on insight enhancement.
The physiological study seeks to identify a physiological correlate of insight by measuring changes in skin conductance. Participants were presented with a diverse range of problem-solving tasks, encompassing both insight and non-insight problems, and their physiological responses recorded. By contrasting the physiological patterns tied to insight moments with those linked to non-insightful problem-solving, the research seeks to specify distinct physiological markers as-sociated with insight.
The cognitive study builds upon these physiological insights to examine the effectiveness of priming tasks in influencing cognitive performance and promoting insight. Participants were ex-posed to specific stimuli hypothesized to trigger particular cognitive processes or bolster associative thinking. The investigation assessed whether such priming can amplify cognitive performance, heighten the occurrence of insight moments, and enhance problem-solving accuracy.
Collectively, the two studies expose the complex dynamics underlying problem-solving processes. Through an analysis of skin conductance during problem-solving and an exploration of various priming stimuli, the dissertation suggests distinct physiological markers of insight and validates the use of priming to enhance cognitive performance. The findings support the development of personalized tools to facilitate human performance, with potential applications to human-computer interaction and architectural design.
Subject
CreativityInsight Problem-Solving
Physiological Correlates of Insight
Cognitive Priming
Insight Facilitation
Collections
Citation
Nam, Beth (2023). Hacking the Creative Mind: An Empirical Investigation into the Physiological Correlates and Cognitive Priming in Insight Problem-Solving. Doctoral dissertation, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /202826.