Abstract
BackgroundMemory retrieval is driven by similarity between a present situation and some prior experience, but not all similarity is created equal. Analogical retrieval, rooted in the similarity between two situations in their underlying structural relations, is often responsible for new insights and innovative solutions to problems. However, superficial similarity is instead more likely to drive spontaneous retrieval. How can we make analogical retrieval more likely? Inducing a relational mindset via an analogical reasoning task has previously been shown to boost subsequent relational thinking. In this paper, we examined whether inducing a relational mindset could also boost analogical retrieval.ResultsWe find that a relational mindset can increase analogical retrieval if induced before information is encoded in the first place, amplifying the effect of a clearly labelled relational structure. On the other hand, inducing a relational mindset at the time of retrieval did not increase analogical retrieval.ConclusionThis work further demonstrates the central importance of high-quality relational encoding for subsequent relation-based analogical retrieval, and that inducing a relational mindset can improve those encodings.
Highlights
Memory retrieval is driven by similarity between a present situation and some prior experience, but not all similarity is created equal
We conducted an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) comparing the relational mindset condition to the control condition on relational retrievals, with RPM as a covariate
We found no evidence that the relational mindset condition (M = 2.69, SD = 1.89) increased relational retrievals
Summary
In all analyses comparing conditions, we used RPM scores as a covariate to ensure that any differences between conditions could not be explained by differences in fluid reasoning abilities (though here we note that the relational language and mindset condition had the lowest RPM scores, and highest rates of relational retrieval). We conducted a 2 (mindset vs control) × 2 (relational vs domain) ANCOVA on relational retrieval, which showed a significant relationship with RPM as a covariate, F (1,76) = 6.57, p = .012, η2p = .080 This analysis revealed a main effect of mindset wherein the participants who completed the analogy task retrieved more relational matches (M = 3.35, SD = 2.71) than those in the control conditions (M = 1.44, SD = 1.54), F (1,76) = 17.96, p < .001, η2p = .191. This explanation is post hoc, but the results fit the pattern that a relational mindset persists for as long as continued relational processing is successful Consistent with this idea, the time between inducing a relational mindset and assessing its effects with retrieval and the picture-mapping task in the successful condition in experiment 2 was longer than when it failed to have an effect in experiment 1. A clear step should examine if this simple analogical thinking exercise boosts learning and transfer in these kinds of real-world educational and problem-solving settings
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