Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CAT4 Practice Questions and Study Guide

The correct choice indicates that warmth judgments rise suddenly just before the solution of an insight problem. This phenomenon is often associated with the cognitive process of insight, which is characterized by a sudden realization of the solution, commonly referred to as an "aha moment."

During problem-solving, individuals typically engage in a gradual process where they assess their understanding and confidence level regarding the problem. However, in insight problems, there is a unique trajectory in the warmth judgments. Research has shown that as a person works on a problem, their feeling of confidence (warmth) can remain quite low or stable during much of the process, but it can dramatically increase just moments before the insight occurs. This sudden rise in warmth is a reflection of the mind's preparation for a breakthrough, leading to the solution.

In contrast, the other options suggest different patterns of warmth judgments that do not align with how insights typically manifest. For instance, the idea that warmth remains constant until the solution does not account for the dynamic shifts in cognitive states that often accompany insight. Similarly, a gradual rise beforehand would imply a steady buildup which is not observed in most instances of insight. Finally, the notion that warmth drops steadily as one nears a solution contradicts the empirical evidence that shows increasing confidence leading