[In terms of a judgment, estimate, or solution] Insight is a sudden mental reorganization of the elements of a problem that makes the solution obvious . . . . [Coon, Dennis. Introduction to Psychology, Exploration and Application. St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1989. Chapter: Learning & Cognition]
Insight Involves Three Abilities
l. Selective encoding. Refers to selecting information that is relevant to a problem, while ignoring distractions.
2. Selective combination. Bringing together seemingly unrelated bits of useful information.
3. Selective comparison. The ability to compare new problems with old information or with problems already solved.
[Coon, Dennis. Introduction to Psychology, Exploration and Application. St. Paul: West Publishing Company, 1989. Chapter: Learning & Cognition]
R E F E R E N C E S
Insight 1. an instance of apprehending the true nature of a thing, esp. through intuitive understanding: an insight into medieval life. 2. penetrating mental vision or discernment: a man of great insight. [ME]
-Syn. 2. perception, intuition, understanding, grasp.
[Urdang, Laurence, ed. Random House Dictionary of The English Language. New York: Random House, 1968.]
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