Problem solving under different types of working memory load
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.22394/2412-9410-2019-5-1-112-127Keywords:
insight, working memory, probe-task, executive functionsAbstract
Numerous studies of insight problem solving are focused on working memory system. We obtained contradictory data about how working memory is involved in the insight process. We argue that measuring the dynamics of working memory over the course of problem solving can provide a more refned view regarding the process as a whole and explain the existing controversies. Our study employed a dual task paradigm to track the dynamics of working memory load during problem solving. We varied the complexity of the probe-task and the problem type (insight and algorithmized). The results indicated that the dynamics of working memory load in insight problems differ from those in algorithmized problems. The complexity of the probe-task affects the total reaction times in both types of problem solving. We found that the working memory load in algorithmized problems increases from stage to stage due to the allocation of cognitive resources to interim calculations. The nature of the dynamics of working memory load in insight problems remains debatable. We can claim that insight problem solving places demands on working memory during the entire problem solving process and that the central executive system plays an important role just prior to solution.Downloads
References
Валуева Е. А. Сигнальная модель инсайта: основные положения и соотношение с научными взглядами Я. А. Пономарева // Психологический журнал. Т. 36. № 6. 2015. С. 35-44.
Ash I. K., Wiley J. The nature of restructuring in insight: An individualdifferences approach // Psychonomic Bulletin & Review. Vol. 13. No. 1. 2006. P. 66-73.
Baddeley A. D. Fractionating the central executive // Principles of frontal lobe function / Ed by. D. T. Stuss, R. T. Knight. New York: Oxford Univ. Press, 2002. P. 246-260.
Beilock S. L., DeCaro M. S. From poor performance to success under stress: Working memory, strategy selection, and mathematical problem solving under pressure // Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. Vol. 33. No. 6. 2007. P. 983-998.
Chuderski A. How well can storage capacity, executive control, and fluid reasoning explain insight problem solving // Intelligence. Vol. 46. No. 1. 2014. P. 258- 270.
Cinan S., Doğan A. Working memory, mental prospection, time orientation, and cognitive insight // Journal of Individual Differences. Vol. 34. No. 3. 2013. Р. 159-169.
DeCaro M. S., Van Stockum C. A., Wieth M. B. When higher working memory capacity hinders insight // Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. Vol. 42. No. 1. 2016. P. 39-49.
DeCaro M. S., Van Stockum C. A., Wieth M. B. The relationship between working memory and insight depends on moderators: Reply to Chuderski and Jastrzêbski (2017) // Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, and Cognition. Vol. 43. No. 12. 2017. Р. 2005-2010.
Fleck J. I. Working memory demands in insight versus analytic problem solving // European Journal of Cognitive Psychology. Vol. 20. 2008. P. 139-176.
Hambrick D. Z., Engle R. W. The role of working memory in problem solving // The psychology of problem solving / Еd. by J. E. Davidson, R. J. Sternberg. New York: Cambridge Univ. Press, 2003. P. 176-206.
Jarosz A. F., Colflesh G. J. H., Wiley J. Uncorking the muse: Alcohol intoxication facilitates creative problem solving // Consciousness and Cognition. Vol. 21. No. 1. 2012. P. 487-493.
Kahneman D. Attention and effort. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, 1973.
Ma W. J., Husain M., Bays P. M. Changing concepts of working memory // Nature Neuroscience. Vol. 17. No. 3. 2014. P. 347-356.
Metcalfe J., Wiebe D. Intuition in insight and non-insight problem solving // Memory & Cognition. Vol. 15. No. 3. 1987. P. 238-246.
Ohlsson S. Information-processing explanations of insight and related phenomena // Advances in the psychology of thinking / Ed. by M. T. Keane, K. J. Gilhooly. London: Harvester-Wheatsheaf, 1992. P. 1-44.
Simon H. A. Scientific discovery and the psychology of problem solving // Simon H. A. Models of discovery and other topics in the methods of science. Dordrecht: Springer, 1977. P. 286-303.
Weisberg R. W., Alba J. W. An examination of the alleged role of "fixation" in the solution of several "insight" problems // Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. Vol. 110. No. 2. 1981. P. 169-192.
