Abstract
We report an experiment investigating the “special-process” theory of insight problem solving, which claims that insight arises from non-conscious, non-reportable processes that
enable problem re-structuring. We predicted that reducing opportunities for speech-based processing during insight problem solving should permit special processes to function more effectively, thereby facilitating insight. We distracted speech-based processing by using either articulatory suppression or irrelevant speech, with findings for these conditions supporting the predicted insight facilitation effect relative to silent working or thinking aloud. The latter condition was included to investigate the currently contested effect of “verbal overshadowing” on insight, whereby thinking aloud is claimed to hinder the operation of special, non-reportable processes. Whilst verbal overshadowing was not evident in final
solution rates, there was nevertheless support for verbal overshadowing up to and beyond the mid-point of the available problem solving time. Overall our data support a special-process
theory of insight, whilst also pointing to the role of moderator variables (e.g., available time for solution) in determining the presence or absence of effects predicted by the special process
account.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 76-96 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | Thinking & Reasoning |
Volume | 21 |
Issue number | 1 |
Early online date | 16 Jul 2014 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2 Jan 2015 |
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Dr DAMIEN LITCHFIELD
- Psychology - Senior Lecturer in Psychology
- Health Research Institute
Person: Research institute member, Academic