ABSTRACT
Chapter 9 begins with a brief overview of the role of insight in psychotherapy and Jung-Beeman’s current research on the neural characteristics of insight during problem solving. This is followed by an overview of Kirsch’s response expectancy theory and its relevance not only to suggestive therapeutics (hypnosis and placebo therapy) but also as a psychotherapeutic device. The difference being that when used to facilitate unconscious process work, a special type of response expectancy is created, one aimed at producing insight. This unique focus is created by recommending an incubation period during which unconscious intelligence is expected to be active and working towards a solution. The history and current research on incubated cognition are reviewed. Research on emotional forecasting is related to the practical task of establishing the length of the incubation period. The chapter concludes by highlighting the way in which this technique contributes to problem solving and self-organized change.
