Bayesian surprise tracks the strength of perceptual insight

Abstract

Suddenly finding the solution to a problem after a period of impasse often comes with a feeling of insight. This subjective experience is proposed to arise as a consequence of prediction errors. Accordingly, previous studies have revealed that more incorrect initial predictions result in more intense insights. Crucially however, prominent models of Bayesian inference suggest levels of computationally-defined surprise are not a simple feature of distance between predictions and inputs, but also their precision or certainty. Yet, how these two factors interact to give rise to insight experiences remains unknown. In this pre-registered study, participants were exposed to ambiguous images while they tried to guess the correct label of the image (to derive prediction accuracy) and rated their confidence in that label (for prediction uncertainty). We then measured the intensity of their insight when a solution was given. As predicted, we found that the intensity of insight was a result of both the prediction accuracy and the uncertainty awarded to it. More specifically, when initial predictions were far from the true label, those made with lower confidence induced weaker insights, while the opposite pattern was observed when predictions were closer to the reality. Trial-by-trial estimations of prediction errors from participants responses closely mirrored insight ratings. Finally, we analysed data from two additional independent datasets with different modalities and setups and replicated the interaction between prediction accuracy and uncertainty on the intensity of insight. Altogether, these findings suggest that insight experiences are read out from prediction errors and highlight the key role of uncertainty in characterising this relationship.