Using Sentence and Picture Clues to Solve Verbal Insight Problems

Abstract

Pictures and sentences, designed to be equivalent in information content, were compared as clues for solving verbal insight problems. Solving insight problems may require creative thinking because a novel approach is required for their solution. A 2 (test condition: informed, uninformed) × 3 (clue type: picture, sentence, unrelated) between and within-subjects design was used. Participants (N = 144) completed, in order: an information acquisition task, verbal insight problems, a free recall task, and a questionnaire. This methodology extended prior research by comparing picture and sentence clues in the same experiment. There was no reliable difference in solution rates for problems associated with picture clues versus sentence clues. Problems associated with sentence clues were solved more quickly. Recall rates were higher for picture clues. One explanation consistent with these findings is that sentence clues, which have similar surface features to the problems, are used automatically to predispose problem solvers to initially represent the problem in a way that makes it solvable. Picture clues, which are more memorable and subjective, are more functional to enable a problem solver at impasse, who is aware of the connection between the pictures and the problems, to rerepresent the problem so that it is solvable.