The Cognitive Underpinnings of Multiply-Constrained Problem Solving

Derek M Ellis,Gene A Brewer,Matthew K Robison

doi:10.3390/jintelligence9010007

Derek M Ellis, Gene A Brewer + Show 1 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/jintelligence9010007

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Abstract

Individuals encounter problems daily wherein varying numbers of constraints require delimitation of memory to target goal-satisfying information. Multiply-constrained problems, such as the compound remote associates, are commonly used to study this type of problem solving. Since their development, multiply-constrained problems have been theoretically and empirically related to creative thinking, analytical problem solving, insight problem solving, and a multitude of other cognitive abilities. In the present study, we empirically evaluated the range of cognitive abilities previously associated with multiply-constrained problem solving to assess common versus unique predictive variance (i.e., working memory, attention control, episodic and semantic memory, and fluid and crystallized intelligence). Additionally, we sought to determine whether problem-solving ability and self-reported strategy adoption (analytical or insightful) were task specific or task general through the use of novel multiply-constrained problem-solving tasks (TriBond and Location Bond). Performance across these tasks was shown to be domain general, solutions derived through insightful strategies were more often correct than those derived through analytical strategies, and crystallized intelligence was the sole cognitive ability that provided unique predictive value after accounting for all other abilities.

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The present study sought to provide the most complete picture of the underlying The present study sought to provide the most complete picture of the underlying cognitive processes related to multiply-constrained problem solving
Before we examined cognitive processes related to multiply-constrained problem solving

Summary

Introduction

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations. Humans possess an incredible ability to target remote information stored in semantic memory even when provided with only minimal cues to guide their search. Choosing a restaurant with a group of friends can be a multiply-constrained problem. The constraints in this situation are dietary limitations, location, and budget. That is semantically related to three cues (“cream, skate, water”) These problems were later adapted such that the target is paired with each cue to form a compound word or phrase (Bowden and Jung-Beeman 2003). An individual’s ability to maintain control of attention in the face of irrelevant distractors and having been exposed to the correct information and having that information stored in memory are all possible sources of variability in multiply-constrained problem solving

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