{"title":"THE ROLE OF WORKING MEMORY AT DIFFERENT STAGES OF INSIGHT PROBLEM SOLVING: A CRITICAL REVIEW","authors":"Sergei Yu. Korovkin","doi":"10.17323/1813-8918-2023-3-407-417","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"This paper offers a critical review of studies published over the past few years that explore the role of working memory at different stages of insight problem solving. The overall contribution of working memory (WM) to insight problem solving remains a matter of controversy, since there is supporting evidence for both the positive and the negative roles of executive control and WM in insight problem solving. A promising way to approach this contradiction is to trace WM loading dynamics in the course of a solution. Data analysis revealed that insight problem solving is generally WM-demanding, although to a lesser extent than analytic problem solving. The WM load peaks at the beginning and at the end of insight problem solving. The initial WM load may be linked to the interpretation of a problem description, creating the initial representation, and analytic reasoning within the initial problem space. Subsequently, in the case of insight problems, the WM load decreases noticeably, which can be linked to a search for a new representation or to an impasse. At the last stage of problem solving, a short peak in the WM load precedes the solution detection, which can be linked to the restructuring of representation and the beginning of a new solution process in a new problem space.","PeriodicalId":44468,"journal":{"name":"Psychology-Journal of the Higher School of Economics","volume":"47 1","pages":"0"},"PeriodicalIF":0.5000,"publicationDate":"2023-09-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Psychology-Journal of the Higher School of Economics","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.17323/1813-8918-2023-3-407-417","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"PSYCHOLOGY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
This paper offers a critical review of studies published over the past few years that explore the role of working memory at different stages of insight problem solving. The overall contribution of working memory (WM) to insight problem solving remains a matter of controversy, since there is supporting evidence for both the positive and the negative roles of executive control and WM in insight problem solving. A promising way to approach this contradiction is to trace WM loading dynamics in the course of a solution. Data analysis revealed that insight problem solving is generally WM-demanding, although to a lesser extent than analytic problem solving. The WM load peaks at the beginning and at the end of insight problem solving. The initial WM load may be linked to the interpretation of a problem description, creating the initial representation, and analytic reasoning within the initial problem space. Subsequently, in the case of insight problems, the WM load decreases noticeably, which can be linked to a search for a new representation or to an impasse. At the last stage of problem solving, a short peak in the WM load precedes the solution detection, which can be linked to the restructuring of representation and the beginning of a new solution process in a new problem space.
期刊介绍:
Psychology. Journal of the Higher School of Economics was established by the National Research University — Higher School of Economics (HSE) in 2004 and is administered by the School of Psychology of HSE. The Journal publishes articles written by Russian and foreign researchers presenting original positions in academic and applied psychology, analytical reviews, short reports focused on empirical studies, and information about current scientific events in Russia and the rest of the world. Principal themes of the journal include: -Methodology, history, and theory of psychology -Research approaches and methods in psychology -New tools for psychological assessment -Interdisciplinary studies connecting psychology with economics, sociology, cultural anthropology, and other sciences -New achievements and trends in cognitive psychology, social psychology, organizational psychology, neuroscience -Models and methods of practice in organizations and individual work -Studies in personological approach, combining theoretical, empirical, hermeneutic, and counselling work on personality -Bridging the gap between science and practice, psychological problems associated with innovations -Discussions on pressing issues in fundamental and applied research within psychology and related sciences The primary audience of the journal includes researchers and practitioners specializing in psychology, sociology, cultural studies, education, neuroscience, and management, as well as teachers and students of higher education institutions.