Papi.licio.us

Studies have shown that individuals (and groups) significantly overestimate what they know about other people (or other groups). This is a subject that, if we’re honest with ourselves, is more prevalent than we’d like to believe, and helps add some depth to the concept of in-group/out-group bias.  

The illusion of asymmetric insight makes it seem as though you know everyone else far better than they know you, and not only that, but you know them better than they know themselves. You believe the same thing about groups of which you are a member. As a whole, your group understands outsiders better than outsiders understand your group, and you understand the group better than its members know the group to which they belong.

http://youarenotsosmart.com/2011/08/21/the-illusion-of-asymmetric-insight/

New research by Dan Goleman, of Emotional Intelligence fame.   This helps to explain why we get those great ideas at such random times.

Step one, you define and frame the problem. Many people say that one of the signs of geniuses in a field is the ability to see problems and challenges and ask questions that no one else sees or asks. So first find and frame the creative challenge.

Second, immerse yourself, dig deep. Gather ideas, data, information, anything that’s going to help you with a creative breakthrough. The third phase is a little counter-intuitive for some people: let it all go. Just relax. The best ideas come while you’re taking a long hot shower, going for a walk, or on vacation. Here, the self-mastery comes in knowing when to let go, and knowing that you need to let go. The final stage, the fourth, is execution - and, of course, many brilliant ideas fail here, because they aren’t implemented well.

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-brain-and-emotional-intelligence/201108/new-insights-the-creative-brain