Differences in the activity of the executive functions in algorithmic and insight problem solving: ERP study

Abstract

The work is devoted to the investigation of electroencephalographic activity of executive functions in problem solving. We compared differences in solving insight and algorithmic problems. In the work of A. Lavric and colleagues it was shown that the activity of the executive functions is higher when subjects face algorithmic problems (it is necessary to operate with elements of the problem and to save representations in the working memory) and is not essential for insight problem solving. This study is an adaptation of Lavric's study with Russian-speaking participants. Our fndings contradict the results of the original research: the executive function is more prominent in insight problem solving. We conclude that the executive function accompanies the problemsolving process in the case of both algorithmic and creative problems. Differences in data obtained from different samples are the result of using the computer version of the experimental stimuli and of the type of problems chosen for the experiment. The study identifed criteria that might warrant further investigation in fnding answers to the question about the role of the executive functions in insight problem solving.