Abstract
A dozen versions of the nine-dot problem were individually administered. Instructions stating that S could extend his lines beyond the boundary of the square formed by the nine dots were marginally effective in increasing the number of Ss who solved the problem in a 10-min period. Presenting two extra dots outside the square dramatically increased the number of solvers. It was concluded that perceptual organization, seeing the dots as a confining square, is a minor factor in making the problem a difficult one. The source of the difficulty is, instead, the fact that the sequence of lines involved in the solution is nonobvious.
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References
KENDLER, H. H. Basic psychology. (2nd ed.) New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, 1968.
KRECH, D., CRUTCHFIELD, R. S., & LIVSON, N. Elements of psychology. New York: Knopf, 1969.
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Burnham, C.A., Davis, K.G. The nine-dot problem: Beyond perceptual organization. Psychon Sci 17, 321–323 (1969). https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335259
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.3758/BF03335259