1. the clear and often sudden discernment of a solution to a problem by means that are not obvious and may never become so, even after one has tried hard to work out how one has arrived at the solution. There are many different theories of how insights are formed and of the kinds of insights that exist. For example, in the 1990s, U.S. psychologists Robert J. Sternberg (1949–  ) and Janet Davidson proposed a theory in which there are three main kinds of insights: (a) selective encoding insights, which are used to distinguish relevant from irrelevant information; (b) selective comparison insights, which are used to distinguish what information already stored in long-term memory is relevant for one’s purposes; and (c) selective combination insights, which are used to put together the available information so as to formulate a solution to a given problem.

2. in psychotherapy, an awareness of underlying sources of emotional, cognitive, or behavioral responses and difficulties in oneself or another person. See also aha experience; epiphany.