Martinsen, OL;
Furnham, A;
Haerem, T;
(2016)
An Integrated Perspective on Insight.
Journal of Experimental Psychology: General
, 145
(10)
pp. 1319-1332.
10.1037/xge0000208.
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Abstract
The present study on insight is based on an integration of Kaplan and Simon’s (1990) information processing theory of insight, a cognitive style theory, and achievement motivation theory. The style theory is the Assimilator (rule oriented, familiarity seeking)–Explorer (novelty seeking, explorative) styles (Kaufmann, 1979). Our hypothesis is that the effectiveness of 2 types of search constraints (prior experience and solution hints) for solving insight problems is moderated by both cognitive style and achievement needs, and depending on optimal levels of achievement motivation for different task conditions. We tested the hypothesis in a randomized experiment in which 3 levels of achievement needs and 1 type of search constraint (solution hints were available or not available) were experimentally manipulated. In addition, participants completed a cognitive style test, a measure of prior problem-solving experience (the second type of search constraint), and controls for intelligence. There were 476 participants (the mean age was 18.4 years). Results revealed 2 similar and significant 3-way interactions between styles, achievement needs, and the 2 types of search constraints. The pattern of interaction supported the idea that stylistic competence for the task characteristics (with and without search constraints available), when combined with manipulated achievement needs, predicted performance in counterintuitive ways but in line with the classic achievement motivation theory. With appropriate stylistic competence for the task characteristics elevated achievement needs led to poorer performance. With less appropriate stylistic competence, performance improved with increasing motivation. Implications for information processing theory are discussed.
| Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Title: | An Integrated Perspective on Insight |
| Open access status: | An open access version is available from UCL Discovery |
| DOI: | 10.1037/xge0000208 |
| Publisher version: | http://doi.org/10.1037/xge0000208 |
| Language: | English |
| Additional information: | Copyright © 2016 APA. All rights reserved. This article may not exactly replicate the authoritative document published in the APA journal. It is not the copy of record. |
| Keywords: | Social Sciences, Psychology, Experimental, Psychology, achievement motivation, cognitive style, creativity, information processing, insight, COGNITIVE STYLES, INDIVIDUAL-DIFFERENCES, MENTAL SET, INFORMATION, PERSONALITY, PERFORMANCE, BELIEFS, ACHIEVEMENT, MOTIVATION, EXPERIENCE |
| UCL classification: | UCL UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences UCL > Provost and Vice Provost Offices > School of Life and Medical Sciences > Faculty of Brain Sciences |
| URI: | https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1526371 |
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