This file accompanies a youtube, which provides an overview of the Sultan 'sticks' experiment along with a practical example which details the 4 stages of Insight learning. See my twitter account 'Psyccounting' for a link to the Youtube.

1. Insight learning - Kohler
• Insight learning refers to the sudden
realisation of a solution of a problem
• After a period of mentally manipulation
of aspects of a problem for a while
• Kohler experimented with Sultan the
chimp who was caged with food
strategically placed outside the cage.
• Some boxes and sticks were placed in
the cage.
• Through some manipulation of these
objects which got Sultan nowhere, he
seemed to suddenly figure out that the
sticks could be joined to get the food.
• He used Insight to solve similar
problems

2. 4 stages of Insight learning
• Can’t solve the problem
1: initially
Preparation • Data gathering
• Problem put on hold
2:
• Problem work on
Incubation unconsciously
3: • Suddenly there is a
mental representation of
Insight solution
4: Solution
Verification checked

3. Example
• E.g. Amelia can’t figure out how
1: • Can’t work out how to load the to load free songs from youtube
songs initially
Preparation on to her iphone
• Data gathering
• After spending an hour trying a
variety of unsuccessful
strategies.
2: • Song loading problem put on hold
while she goes on a walk • She ‘cracks it’ and decides to go
Incubation • Problem worked on unconsciously for a walk.
• ½ way through the walk, she
suddenly realises, that she needs
to put the songs in iTunes 1st.
3: • During her walk, she suddenly
there is a mental representation of • She bolts home and tests her
Insight how to load the songs theory out and sure enough it
works
Solution checked,
4:
Verification her songs do load

4. Step 1: Preparation
• Initially the learner feels
helpless (‘I’m never going
to figure this out’)
• The individual gathers
information about the
problem (trial & error)
• E.g. You are trying to
program the new DVD
recorder to tape shows,
you try different settings,
turning the TV to AV mode,
etc........

5. Step 2: Incubation
• The problem is
consciously put
aside,
• But worked on at an
unconscious level
• So you go outside
and shoot some
hoops, because you
are getting angry
that you can’t solve
the problem,
meanwhile your
brain is working on
the problem

6. Step 3: Insight – ‘Aha’
• ‘Aha – now I know
what to do’
• Some mental
event bridges the
gap between the
problem & the
solution
• Unconsciously the
learner has
reassembled the
elements of the
problem into a
meaningful whole

7. Step 4: Verification
• Solution (arrived
at mentally) is
now tested out
(physically)
• This will now
help with future
problem solving
(in a sense the
learner is
learning how to
learn)

8. Insight Learning: key points
• The learning appears
suddenly
• The 1st time the solution
is tried, it is generally
done correctly (few/no
errors) despite the lack
of reinforcement given
• We tend not to forget
the solution
• Learning can be applied
to similar problems in
the future
• i.e. We can use the
insight gained to help up
us with future problems.
• Thus it is a more
cognitive process (than
classical conditioning or
operant conditioning)