The research of the role of interhemispheric interaction in problem solving: some behavioral and physiological results

Abstract

In this paper we describe the role of interhemispheric interaction in problem solving. We have some ex- perimental hypotheses as a result of analysis of various theoretical approaches of corpus callosum functions and role of interhemispheric interaction in creative problem solving. In our research we adhere to the theory of joint work of two hemispheres during creative problem solving and the complex theory of the corpus cal- losum function. In this study we used a method of parallel probe tasks (choice of two simple alternatives) that was performed at the same time with the main problem task (insight or routine). Interhemispheric interaction was complicated by contralateral probe tasks. It means, when subject solve insight or routine problem, probe task was presented in the left/right visual field and was performed by the left/right hand. We register brain activity (EEG) during the whole experiment. The results showed us the specificity of mechanism of insight solution compared to routine solution, and that the interhemispheric interaction plays a significant role in insight problem solving.