First insights into infants' and children's aha-experiences: A parent report study

• Published in: Cognitive development Vol. 69; p. 101397
• Main Authors: Haugen, Josefine, Prenevost, Mathilde H., Nilsen, Ida B.R., Reber, Rolf
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-01-2024
• Subjects: Aha-experience; Cognition; Development; Infancy; Insight; Parent report; Psychology; psykologi; Development; Aha-experience; Insight; Cognition; Infancy; Parent report
• ISSN: 0885-2014; 1879-226X; 1879-226X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cogdev.2023.101397

This study provides first insights into aha-experiences in infancy and childhood. In two studies, a content analysis of parental reports from two different populations, a Norwegian sample and an international sample of English-speaking parents, was conducted. Parents described 606 aha-stories of their children (age 3 weeks to 16 years). Three main findings were replicated across two studies: (1) Even infants may have aha-experiences; (2) Children have aha-experiences on various topics related to action and cognition; (3) The focus of aha-experiences shifts from action to cognition with age (3 weeks-8 years, Odds Ratios > 1.567). These findings may have implications for understanding what motivates children's learning and cognitive development and for future research.
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•Even infants may have aha-experiences.•Children have aha-experiences on various topics related to action and cognition.•The focus of children’s aha-experiences shifts from action to cognition with age.•Most aha-experiences in children yield positive affect.