Let them wonder: Incubation and task constraints in creative problem solving

Abstract

Including incubation periods when solving creative tasks; that is, setting the task temporarily aside, has been shown to benefit creative problem solving in experimental settings. However, practical implications and benefits of incubation are unclear, especially in a school setting. An important factor involves the difference between how creative problems are defined in an experimental situation, on the one hand, and an applied context, such as schools, on the other. Creative problems in incubation experiments are typically clearly defined tasks, but such well-defined problems are rarely found in practical situations where ambiguous problems with multiple solutions are more likely. For incubation to be relevant in an applied setting, such as schools, it is vital to understand the role of how tasks are defined. The aim of the current study was to assess whether having a highly constrained task is necessary for incubation periods to benefit creative problem solving. An experiment with two fully crossed independent variables, incubation period (included and not included) and task constraints (high and medium) was used to investigate the effects on both creative originality and creative productivity. Task constraints were implemented by first allowing participants to select their task and then later allowing half of the participants to revise their choice. An incubation period was implemented by interpolating a choice reaction task into the creative task for half of the participants. The results demonstrate that clear unchangeable tasks are necessary for incubation to benefit creative problem solving. Choice must, therefore, be constrained before the task is temporarily set aside, for incubation to benefit creativity. For practical applications in a school setting, this means that students should be encouraged to select a task or settle on an idea early in the process of completing a creative assignment to benefit from incubation periods.