Abstract

This study investigated how problem solvers get into and out of a state of impasse while solving difficult problems. 47 participants had to decipher the secret method behind 33 magic tricks while repeatedly giving feeling of warmth ratings. After the first viewing of each trick, participants were led into an impasse by presenting two implausible solutions, together with the information that those were incorrect. After another viewing, cues were given to guide out of the impasse. Warmth ratings were flat and non-increasing after the implausible solution manipulation, suggesting a state of impasse. Cues helped to overcome the impasse, with higher solution rates for pictorial (49%) than for verbal cues (39%) and both higher than a no cue condition (29%). Warmth ratings also reflected cue efficacy, with higher ratings after helpful cues. This study represents a first attempt at influencing the onset and offset of the state of impasse.

摘要

这项研究调查了解决问题的人如何在解决难题的同时陷入僵局。47名参与者不得不破译33种魔术背后的秘密方法，同时反复给人以温暖的感觉。在首次查看每个技巧之后，参与者通过提出两个令人难以置信的解决方案以及不正确的信息而陷入僵局。在再次查看之后，给出了提示以摆脱僵局。在不合理的解决方案操纵之后，保暖等级保持不变并且没有增加，表明处于僵局状态。提示帮助克服了僵局，图片提示的解决率（49％）比口头提示（39％）高，两种提示的提示率也高于无提示条件。温暖等级也反映了提示效能，有用提示后评分更高。