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bioRxiv · 10.1101/2021.11.26.470102

Time course of EEG power during creative problem-solving with insight or remote thinking

Bieth, T.·Ovando-Tellez, M.·Lopez-Persem, A.·Garcin, B.·Hugueville, L.·Lehongre, K.·Levy, R.·George, N.·Volle, E.
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Abstract

Problem-solving often requires creativity and is critical in everyday life. However, the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying creative problem-solving remain poorly understood. Two mechanisms have been highlighted: forming new connections from and between the problem elements and insight solving (with a sudden realization of a solution). We examined EEG activity during an adapted version of a classical insight problem task, the Remote Associates Test, that requires finding a word connecting three words. It allowed us to explore remoteness in semantic connections (by varying the remoteness of the solution word across trials) and insight solving (identified as a "Eureka" moment reported by the participants). Semantic remoteness was associated with a power increase in alpha band (8-12Hz) in a left parieto-temporal cluster, beta band (13-30Hz) in a right fronto-temporal cluster in the early phase of the task, and theta band (3-7Hz) in frontal cluster before the participants responded. Insight solving was associated with power increase preceding the response in alpha and gamma band (31-60Hz) in left temporal clusters and theta band in a frontal cluster. Source reconstructions show the brain regions associated with these clusters. Overall, our findings shed new light on the dynamic of some of the mechanisms involved in creative problem-solving.

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Bieth, T., Ovando-Tellez, M., Lopez-Persem, A., Garcin, B., Hugueville, L., Lehongre, K., Levy, R., George, N., Volle, E.. 2021-11-27. Time course of EEG power during creative problem-solving with insight or remote thinking. https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.11.26.470102

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