The Eureka Factor

February 1, 2015
"Things just clicked." "It was a spark of inspiration...a bolt of lightning...an epiphany...." Readers curious to know what happens when we solve a problem in a flash will find the latest research here.For centuries, the brain was accessible only during autopsy, so scientists studied it by observing behavior. This changed in the 1990s with the invention of scanners such as the fMRI that give us the ability to observe the brain as it works. Skeptics claim that inspiration is a myth. That "eureka" moment is merely the rush that comes from an answer we've been working toward during the entire problem-solving process. A host of imaginative studies, many by Kounios (Psychology/Drexel Univ.) and fellow neuroscientist and co-author Beeman, reveal that certain areas of the brain work when we consciously analyze a problem; entirely different areas light up during an aha moment, a finding that has produced media enthusiasm and probably inspired this book. The authors claim that their findings may "inspire people...to be more creative in their personal and professional lives." Kounios and Beeman describe four stages of insight. First, one reaches an "impasse" in dealing with a problem. There follows a "diversion" during which the problem "incubates," followed by a solution in a flash of "illumination." Though rewards and deadlines usually encourage analytic thought, they often suppress inspiration. To empower creativity, distract attention from the specific (the problem itself) toward the general-the further the better. "Our goal is to explain what insights are, how they arise, and what the scientific research says about how to have more of them," they write. Daydreaming, musing, fantasizing and sleeping all prime the pump. Being good scientists, the authors' secrets of success lack the dramatic specificity of more commercial authors, but readers will appreciate their ingenious, thoughtful update on how the mind works.

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Starred review from February 15, 2015

Kounios (psychology, Drexel Univ.) and Beeman (psychology, Northwestern Univ.) study the neuroscience behind "aha moments," those times of sudden realization or understanding experienced during creative or problem-solving tasks. They are both respected researchers with multiple grants and the authors of well-cited, peer-reviewed publications in the areas of creativity and insight. In this book, the authors bring together the results of their research, some of which has made it into mainstream media, as well as the findings of others in the field. Their neuroimaging studies advance the investigation of insight and creativity beyond the usual explanations based on examinations using less-advanced technologies. Mood, meditation, focus, motivation, and other variables are considered as ways to influence innovation and acuity. The writing is engaging and readable, mixing stories of famous perceptions with explanations of how such revelations happen, and including suggestions throughout to help people become more insightful. Extensive notes document the research cited and extra ideas that didn't quite fit in the main body of the text. VERDICT An excellent title for those interested in neuroscience or creativity, or those who enjoy reading about brain research.--Margaret Henderson, Midlothian, VA

Copyright 2015 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2015
Bingo!, Got it!, and the ever-popular D'oh! are all great ways of indicating that the proverbial lightbulb over the head has gone off. What is it about these moments of illumination that are so exhilarating? Are they random rays of brilliance, or simply nascent ideas that have been incubating in the brain all along? Kounios and Beeman, distinguished neuroscientists with more than 20 years of cognitive research to their credit, examine such incidents of insight, juxtaposing the mere wonder of it all with the quantifiable science behind how the brain functions. Whether one solves a problem through analysis or creates a solution through insight can be attributed not only to how one is internally wired, so to speak, but also to external factors such as rest, distraction, and environment. Creativity can gush forth after a brief nap or while running errands; knowing how and when the brain can spark at maximum responsiveness can open up a world of inventiveness and inspiration. A lively and accessible brain book with wide appeal.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)