Question

___________ is the term used to describe the sudden flash" of revelation that often accompanies the solution to a problem.

Short answer

The term is 'Insight'.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the context

This exercise appears in the context of psychology or cognitive science, specifically in the area of problem-solving theories. The 'sudden flash of revelation' pertains to the moment of unexpected insight or understanding in a problem-solving context, which is commonly described with a specific term.

Recall the appropriate term

The term for the 'sudden flash of revelation' is best known from the story of the Ancient Greek scientist Archimedes, who reportedly had such a moment of insight while taking a bath and shouted the famous phrase 'Eureka'.

Answer the exercise

The term that describes the 'sudden flash of revelation' is 'Insight'.

Key concepts

Cognitive Psychology

Cognitive psychology focuses on understanding internal thought processes and how they influence behavior. This field of psychology is particularly interested in how people perceive, remember, think, speak, and problem-solve. When a student studies cognitive psychology, they dive into the study of human cognition, which includes mental functions like attention, memory, and decision-making.

In the context of the exercise involving the 'sudden flash' of revelation, cognitive psychology examines how the brain processes information to arrive at this moment, often termed as 'insight'. This phenomenon is a testament to the brain's remarkable ability to restructure information and reach an understanding without incremental steps, indicating a more complex neural activity that cognitive psychologists aim to unpack and understand.

Problem-Solving Theories

Problem-solving theories provide various frameworks that explain how individuals tackle problems and find solutions. These theories delve into the steps and thought patterns that are involved in conquering cognitive challenges. For instance, the Gestalt School of Psychology proposed that problems are solved through a reorganization of perception, leading to a sudden change in understanding or insight - which is the term identified in the exercise.

A popular problem-solving theory is the Information-Processing model, which likens the human mind to a computer by how it processes incoming information, stores data, and produces responses. Within this model, the 'sudden flash of revelation', or insight, might be characterized as the brain accessing a previously hidden or underutilized piece of information that suddenly clarifies the problem at hand.

Cognitive Processes

Cognitive processes are the mental acts or series of acts that comprise thinking, reasoning, finding solutions, and other intellectual functions. These processes help us to interact with the world and make sense of complex situations. With regards to our exercise, a cognitive process pertinent to problem-solving is 'insight', where an individual suddenly realizes the solution to a problem in what seems to be an instant moment of clarity.

Insight doesn't always come easily. It often requires extensive background knowledge and the ability to connect disparate pieces of information in meaningful ways. Techniques to foster insight include breaking down the problem into smaller parts, approaching the problem from different angles, and even taking a step back to indulge in unrelated activities, allowing the subconscious mind to contribute to problem-solving.