Abstract
The representational change theory of insight claims that insight problems cause impasses because they mislead problem solvers into constructing inappropriate initial representations. Insight is attained when the initial representation is changed. In the present study (N = 24), we tested three specific implications of these hypotheses against eye movements recorded while participants solved matchstick arithmetic problems. The results were consistent with the predictions, providing converging evidence with prior findings using solution rates and solution times. Alternative theories of insight can explain individual findings, but only the representational change theory accounts for both the performance data and the eye movement data. The present study also suggests that eye movement recordings provide an important new window into processes of insight problem solving.
Article PDF
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Anderson, J. R., &Lebiere, C. (1998).The atomic components of thought. Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum.
Ballard, D. H., Hayhoe, M. M., Pook, P. K., &Rao, R. P. N. (1997). Deictic codes for the embodiment of cognition.Behavioral & Brain Sciences,20, 723–767.
Bowden, E. M., &Beeman, M. J. (1998). Getting the right idea: Semantic activation in the right hemisphere may help solve insight problems.Psychological Science,9, 435–440.
Duncker, K. (1945). On problem-solving.Psychological Monographs,68 (Whole No. 270).
Just, M. A., &Carpenter, P. A. (1976). Eye fixations and cognitive processes.Cognitive Psychology,8, 441–480.
Kaplan, C. A., &Simon, H. A. (1990). In search of insight.Cognitive Psychology,22,374–419.
Katona, G. (1940).Organizing and memorizing: Studies in the psychology of learning and teaching. New York: Columbia University.
Keane, M. (1989). Modelling problem solving in Gestalt “insight” problems.Irish Journal of Psychology,10, 201–215.
Knoblich, G., Ohlsson, S., Haider, H., &Rhenius, D. (1999). Constraint relaxation and chunk decomposition in insight problem solving.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition,25, 1534–1556.
Knoblich, G., &Rhenius, D. (1995).Zur Reaktivität Lauten Denkens beim komplexen Problemlösen [The reactivity of thinking aloud during complex problem-solving].Zeitschrift für Experimentelle Psychologie,42, 419–454.
Knoblich, G., &Wartenberg, F. (1998).Unbemerkte Lösungshinweise Begünstigen Veränderungen der Problemrepräsentation [Unnoticed hints facilitate representational change in problem solving].Zeitschrift für Psychologie,206, 207–234.
Köhler, W. (1924).Die physischen Gestalten in Ruhe und im stationären Zustand [The physical shapes in rest and stationary state]. Erlangen, Germany: Verlag der philosophischen Akademie.
Köhler, W. (1925).The mentality of apes. New York: Livewright.
Luchins, A. S., &Luchins, E. H. (1959).Rigidity of behavior: A variational approach to the effect of Einstellung. Eugene: University of Oregon Press.
MacGregor, J. N., Ormerod, T. C., &Chronicle, E. P. (2001). Information-processing and insight: A process model of performance on the nine-dot and related problems.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition,27, 176–201.
Maier, N. R. F. (1931). Reasoning in humans: II. The solution of a problem and its appearance in consciousness.Journal of Comparative Psychology,12, 181–194.
Metcalfe, J. (1986). Feeling of knowing in memory and problem solving.Journal of Experimental Psychology: Learning, Memory, & Cognition,12, 288–294.
Newell, A., &Simon, H. A. (1972).Human problem solving. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall.
Ohlsson, S. (1984a). Restructuring revisited: I. Summary and critique of the Gestalt theory of problem solving.Scandinavian Journal of Psychology,25, 65–78.
Ohlsson, S. (1984b). Restructuring revisited: II. An information processing theory of restructuring and insight.Scandinavian Journal of Psychology,25, 117–129.
Ohlsson, S. (1992). Information-processing explanations of insight and related phenomena. In K. J. Gilhooley (Ed.),Advances in the psychology of thinking (pp. 1–44). London: Harvester-Wheatsheaf.
Perkins, D. (1981).The mind’s best work. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press.
Rayner, K. (1978). Eye movements in reading and information processing.Psychological Bulletin,85, 618–660.
Rayner, K. (1998). Eye movements in reading and information processing: 20 years of research.Psychological Bulletin,124, 372–422.
Scheerer, M. (1963). Problem-solving.Scientific American,208, 118–128.
Schooler, J. W., &Melcher, J. (1995). The ineffability of insight. In S.M. Smith, T. B. Ward, & R. A. Finke (Eds.),The creative cognition approach (pp. 97–133). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Schooler, J. W., Ohlsson, S., &Brooks, K. (1993). Thoughts beyond words: When language overshadows insight.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General,122, 166–183.
Simon, H. A. (1966). Scientific discovery and the psychology of problem solving. In R. Colodny (Ed.),Mind and cosmos (pp. 22–40). Pittsburgh: University of Pittsburgh Press.
Simonton, D. K. (1988).Scientific genius: A psychology of science. New York: Cambridge University Press.
Simonton, D. K. (1995). Foresight in insight? A Darwinian answer. In R. J. Sternberg & J. E. Davidson (Eds.),The nature of insight (pp. 465–494). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Smith, S. M. (1995). Getting into and out of mental ruts: A theory of fixation, incubation, and insight. In R. J. Sternberg & J. E. Davidson (Eds.),The nature of insight (pp. 229–251). Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Smith, S. M., Ward, T. B., &Finke, R. A. (Eds.) (1995).The creative cognition approach. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Sternberg, R. J., &Davidson, J. E. (Eds.) (1995).The nature of insight. Cambridge, MA: MIT Press.
Weisberg, R. W. (1986).Creativity: Genius and other myths. New York: W. H. Freeman.
Weisberg, R. W., &Alba, J. W. (1981). An examination of the alleged role of “fixation” in the solution of several “insight” problems.Journal of Experimental Psychology: General,110, 169–192.
Weisberg, R. W., &Suls, J. M. (1973). An information-processing model of Duncker’s Candle Problem.Cognitive Psychology,4, 255–276.
Wertheimer, M. (1959).Productive thinking. New York: Harper.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
This research was supported, in part, by a grant of the German Academic Exchange Service (HSPII/AUFE), which made it possible to carry out the study reported in this paper during a visit of the first author to the University of Illinois at Chicago. This research was also supported, in part, by a grant from the Cognitive Science Program of the Office of Naval Research to the second author. The eye movement equipment was purchased with the help of a grant from the Campus Research Board of the University of Illinois at Chicago to the third author. The opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the sponsoring agencies and no endorsement should be inferred.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Knoblich, G., Ohlsson, S. & Raney, G.E. An eye movement study of insight problem solving. Memory & Cognition 29, 1000–1009 (2001). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195762
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03195762