The Effect Of Mind Wandering On Insight Problem Solving

The mind wandering state caused by undemanding tasks can predict the insight problem solving,but the internal mechanism of mind wandering affecting insight problem solving remains unclear.In this study,the internal mechanism of the effect of mind wandering on insight problem was explored by examining the state of working memory in the process of insight problem solving.In Experiment 1,a behavioral experiment was used to investigate the effect of mind wandering on the solving of classical insight problems.(1)It was found that undemanding tasks with 1-back were able to induce mind wandering state,and the performance of classical insight problems was significantly improved compared with that of the 2-back,resting and non-resting groups;(2)Compared with individuals with low personality of mind wandering,the priming effect was more significant in individuals with high personality of mind wandering.In Experiment 2,we used event-related potential techniques to investigate the effects of mind wandering during priming and the personality of mind wandering on the problem solving of word puzzle insight.(1)The P2 wave was maintained with insight,and the key brain regions were located in the right temporal lobes of both sides of the brain;(2)On the P3 wave,after the undemanding task priming,there was a decline with and without insight;(3)The β wave of attention transformation decreased significantly in the absence of insight after undemanding task priming compared with that in insight.These results may suggest that the mind wandering states from undemanding tasks does promote insight problem solving,and that the mind wandering states is mediated by the mind wandering trait,which reduces the attention control of working memory and maintains the working memory updating function.In addition,in terms of neural mechanism,the influence of mind wandering on the problem solving of insight was mainly concentrated in the right temporal lobe of the brain.The results of this study provide a new perspective of integrating the special view theory and process monitoring theory,and reveal the underlying neural mechanism of mind wandering promoting insight problem solving.