SAGE Journal Articles
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Abstract
Attentional focus is important for many cognitive processes, including problem solving. In this article, we discuss working memory capacity (WMC), a construct related to the ability to focus attention, and its differential effects on analytic and creative problem solving. One of the main ways in which WMC benefits analytic problem solving seems to be that it helps problem solvers to control their attention, resist distraction, and narrow their search through a problem space. Conversely, several lines of recent evidence have shown that too much focus can actually harm performance on creative problem-solving tasks.
Discussion questions:
- How does the author characterize “working memory capacity?”
- How is working memory capacity related to creative problem solving?
- How does working memory capacity sometimes impact problem solving positively, but negatively on other occasions?
Abstract
The eye movements of expert players trying to solve a chess problem show that the first idea that comes to mind directs attention toward sources of information consistent with it and away from inconsistent information. This bias continues unconsciously even when players believe they are looking for alternatives. The result is that alternatives to the first idea are ignored. This mechanism for biasing attention ensures a speedy response in familiar situations, but it can lead to errors when the first thought that comes to mind is not appropriate. We propose that this mechanism is the source of many cognitive biases, from phenomena in problem solving and reasoning to perceptual errors and failures in memory.
Discussion questions:
- What is the “Classical Einstellung Effect?”
- Describe how the authors quantified the Einstellung Effect in their chess experiment.
- The authors describe the effect as having both an upside and a downside for problem solving. Can you think of other examples which demonstrate both of these sides?
Abstract
A recent analysis of real-world problems that led to historic inventions and insight problems that are used in psychology experiments suggests that during innovative problem solving, individuals discover at least one infrequently noticed or new (i.e., obscure) feature of the problem that can be used to reach a solution. This observation suggests that research uncovering aspects of the human semantic, perceptual, and motor systems that inhibit the noticing of obscure features would enable researchers to identify effective techniques to overcome those obstacles. As a critical step in this research program, this study showed that the generic-parts technique can help people unearth the types of obscure features that can be used to overcome functional fixedness, which is a classic inhibitor to problem solving. Subjects trained on this technique solved on average 67% more problems than a control group did. By devising techniques that facilitate the noticing of obscure features in order to overcome impediments to problem solving (e.g., design fixation), researchers can systematically create a tool kit of innovation-enhancing techniques.
Discussion questions:
- What are the two overarching theories of insight problem solving? Describe how these theories differ.
- What is the generic-parts technique? How is it used when solving a problem?
- Describe the design of the experiment. What are the hypotheses being tested? What do the results of the experiment suggest about the hypotheses?