A cognitive process where a sudden understanding or realization dawns, leading to a solution. This type of learning involves a mental restructuring of the problem, differing from trial-and-error approaches. For instance, an animal presented with a seemingly insurmountable challenge, like obtaining food from a high place, might suddenly realize it can stack boxes to reach the reward. This ‘aha!’ moment signifies the formation of a novel problem-solving strategy.
The significance lies in its ability to foster adaptability and flexible thinking. This learning mechanism allows organisms to overcome obstacles by generating innovative solutions, rather than relying on previously learned behaviors. Historically, this form of learning has been crucial in understanding higher-order cognitive functions and differentiating them from more basic associative learning processes, contributing significantly to comparative psychology and cognitive science.