Novel idea generation and inhibitory function in insight problem solving

Previous research has revealed that the subliminal priming of hints can help in solving insight problems, yet the effect is inconsistent. Why are sometimes unable to aid in problem solving? The authors hypothesized that hints may be suppressed by effective inhibitory function. Experiment 1 tested 55 participants, using the 8-coin problem. Their inhibitory function was measured by the Eriksen Flanker Task. Half of the participants were exposed to subliminal hints. The results showed that the hints decreased the degree of constraint violation in the high-inhibition group. In Experiment 2, 44 participants solved insight problems (Remote Associates Test: RAT) with or without subliminal hints. The Eriksen Flanker Task was conducted twice (before and after the insight problems). Experiment 2 demonstrated that the hints hindered problem solving for those who were able to sustain their inhibition abilities through RAT problems. These results conform to the predictions, and suggest that effective inhibitory function would suppress not only the exogenous cue, but also the endogenous generation of the solution.