Abstract
When faced with a problem, how do individuals search for potential solutions? In this article, we explore the cognitive processes that lead to local search (i.e., identifying options closest to existing solutions) and distant search (i.e., identifying options of a qualitatively different nature than existing solutions). We suggest that mind wandering is likely to lead to local search because it operates by spreading activation from initial ideas to closely associated ideas. This reduces the likelihood of accessing a qualitatively different solution. However, instead of getting lost in thought, individuals can also step back and monitor their thoughts from a detached perspective. Such mindful metacognition, we suggest, is likely to lead to distant search because it redistributes activation away from initial ideas to other, less strongly associated, ideas. This hypothesis was confirmed across two studies. Thus, getting lost in thoughts is helpful when one is on the right track and needs only a local search whereas stepping back from thoughts is helpful when one needs distant search to produce a change in perspective.
Highlights
Understanding how humans solve problems is, paradoxically, a problem in itself
In support of Hypothesis 1, a planned contrast showed that mind wandering (M = 4.03, SD = 2.37) and mindful metacognition (M = 4.35, SD = 2.20) improved general search relative to the control condition, (M = 2.26, SD = 2.39), t(99) = 3.95, p
We explored the cognitive processes that enable local and distant search
Summary
The earliest models from game theory identified axioms that rational agents should follow to decide among various solutions to their problems [1]. This focus on deciding among solutions left open the question of how agents identified solutions in the first place. How do agents search for solutions to their problems? We can visualize the space of potential solutions as a landscape with peaks and valleys—as shown in Fig 1 (see [4]). Agents begin at an initial idea: their current solution or the first solution that comes to mind. If agents search for small incremental improvements on PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0126865 May 14, 2015
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