The promoting effect of insight on memory

doi:10.3724/SP.J.1042.2019.02034

Abstract

Abstract:

The promoting effect of insight on memory refers to the phenomenon that processing insightful problems facilitate memory retention, compared with processing non-insightful problems, which is a robust effect regardless of operational definitions of insight and experimental paradigms. Based on the stage view of insight, two theories were proposed to explain the cognitive mechanisms underlying the promoting effect of insight. The theories of cognitive generation and representation-change propose that cognitive effort, transfer-appropriate processing and representational-change processing function together during processing insightful problems to enhance the memory retention, while the emotional "aha" experience theory proposes that emotional reaction after processing insightful problems promotes the subsequent retrieval of information. Future studies should focus on the following aspects: selecting appropriate markers of insight, consolidating the promoting effect of insight on memory, evaluating the sustainability of the promoting effect of insight, and systematically exploring the cognitive mechanisms underlying the promoting effect of insight on memory.

Key words: promoting effect of insight on memory, the stage view of insight, generation effect, representation transformation, “aha” experience

CLC Number:

B842

LAI Yanqun, YANG Qi, HUANG Baozhen, SAI Liyang. The promoting effect of insight on memory[J]. Advances in Psychological Science, 2019, 27(12): 2034-2042.

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