Insight learning, as explored by Kohler, involves a sudden realization of a solution after a period of mentally manipulating aspects of a problem, exemplified through Sultan the chimp's clever use of sticks to obtain food. The process consists of four stages: preparation, incubation, insight, and verification, where an individual initially struggles with a problem, temporarily sets it aside, experiences an 'aha' moment, and then tests the solution. Key points include that solutions are often found correctly on the first attempt, are retained for future problems, and reflect a more cognitive learning process.

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)