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Related Experiment Video

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The Innovation Arena: A Method for Comparing Innovative Problem-Solving Across Groups
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Problem solving stages in the five square problem.

Anna Fedor1, Eörs Szathmáry2, Michael Öllinger3

  • 1Parmenides Center for the Study of Thinking Pullach, Germany.

Frontiers in Psychology
|August 25, 2015
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

The classic four-stage insight problem-solving model is insufficient for individuals. Behavioral analysis reveals more complex, recurring stages, suggesting a need for revised models and caution with self-reported impasses.

Keywords:
Five-Square problemfour-stage modelimpasseinsightproblem solving stages

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Psychology
  • Problem-Solving Research

Background:

  • Insight problem solving is theorized to follow a four-stage model: search, impasse, insight, and search.
  • This model's stage order has relied on self-reports, lacking behavioral verification.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To behaviorally verify the sequence of insight problem-solving stages.
  • To examine the correspondence between subjective feelings and actual problem-solving stages.

Main Methods:

  • Participants solved the Five-Square problem online, with movement time and trajectory recorded.
  • Post-task questionnaires assessed feelings of insight and impasse.

Main Results:

  • Most participants exhibited complex, non-linear sequences of problem-solving stages, contradicting the classic four-stage model.
  • Self-reported impasses did not reliably align with behaviorally identified impasse stages.

Conclusions:

  • The classic four-stage model is inadequate for describing individual problem-solving variability.
  • A revised model is proposed to account for observed complex sequences.
  • Subjective reports of impasse may be unreliable indicators.