2Attention and Working Memory in Insight Problem-Solving.pdfVIP

Attention and Working Memory in Insight Problem-Solving M. Aisling Murray (murray.aisling@) Department of Psychology, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland Ruth M. J. Byrne (rmbyrne@tcd.ie) Department of Psychology, Trinity College, University of Dublin, Ireland Abstract Individuals differ in their ability to solve insight problems. We suggest that differences in attention switching and working memory skills underlie differences in insight problem solving ability. We consider the results of an experiment that shows that correct performance on a range of insight problems is related to correct performance on measures of attention-switching and working memory storage and processing, but not to measures of selective attention and sustained attention. We discuss the implications of the results for understanding the component processes in insight problem solving. Keywords: Insight; problem-solving; individual differences; attention; working memory. Introduction Suppose you are asked to describe how to throw a ping-pong ball so that it will travel a short distance, come to a dead stop and then reverse itself (Ansburg and Dominowski, 2000). You are not allowed to bounce it off any surface or tie anything to it. Some individuals solve the problem readily. Others never do. Some people suggest putting a back-spin on the ball (which will not work), or throwing it to another person (which violates the requirement for the ball to stop and return by itself). Although the problem initially seems impossible, there is a simple answer. Throw the ball straight up in the air and gravity will cause it to stop for an instant before falling back to earth. Many people assume that the ball must travel forward and back but once they realise it can also go up and down, the solution follows readily (Murray and Byrne, 2005a). Why do individuals differ in their ability to solve insight problems? Our aim in this paper is to consider some