Authors

Version

Results-Explanation

Griggs & Newstead (1982)

DRUG

Problem

Facilitation: when the problem is phrased in such a way as to make the structure of the task very clear and explicit.

Problem representation is key in problem solving.

Newstead, Griggs & Warner (1982)

GASTRONOMIC Problem

The realism of the task improves performance on the problem when the realistic material cues in the correct answer from memory. Memory cuing explanation.

Smyth & Clark (1986)

HALF-SISTER Problem

Realistic content is not sufficient to induce correct answer. Express the exclusive relation through a familiar and known concept (half-sister) improve performance.

Girotto & Legrenzi (1989)

MIB-THOG Problem

SPY Problem

PUB Problem

The generation of the hypotheses is not in itself sufficient to solve the problem.

A plausible context for separating the levels (data and hypotheses) can produce facilitation, even with the abstract original content. Confusion Theory.

O’Brien, Noveck, Davidson, Fisch, Lea & Freitag (1990)

TRUMP Problem

ONE-OTHER THOG Problem

BLACKBOARD Problem

Facilitation: when the version separates positive instance from the hypotheses and when subjects are required to generate hypotheses.

Newstead & Griggs (1992)

PUB Problem—reply

Facilitation: separation positive instance from hypotheses and experimental instructions.

Girotto & Legrenzi (1993)

SARS Problem

Sources of error: non-consequential reasoning and confusion theory.

Needham & Amado (1995)

PYTHAGORAS Problem

Narrative thematic versions are easier to solve than the classic version.

Analogical transfer: participants may have abstracted the solution principle from the Pythagoras problem to the THOG problem.

Griggs, Platt, Newstead & Jackson (1998)

THOG Problem

SARS Problem - Reply

Key of facilitation: attentional factors (via experimental instructions).

Martín, Seoane, Valiña & Ferraces (1998)

THOG Problem

DRUG Problem

Performance is modulated by individual differences

Marek, Griggs & Koenig (2000)

THOG Problem “modified”

Correct performance increased reducing cognitive complexity of the task and the possibility of non-consequential thinking.

Valiña, Seoane, Martín, Rodríguez & Ferraces (2003)

THOG Problem

DRUG Problem

PUB Problem

SPIES Problem

REPRIEVE Problem

Better performance with thematic content than with abstract content.

Better performance with one-other instructions than with standard instructions.

Individual differences.

Seoane, Valiña, Rodríguez, Martín & Ferraces (2007)

THOG Problem

ONE-OTHER THOG Problem

DRUG & PUB Problems

Keys: Individual differences in flexibility and cognitive abilities.

Koenig & Griggs (2011)

PYTHAGORAS, BLACKBOARD & SARS Problems

Performance with the THOG problem is explained by the dual process theory.

Schreiber (2014)

THOG Problem “modified”

Subjects rely on visual symmetry when solving the THOG problem.