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Einstellung

A related obstacle to problem solving arises when people start work on a problem and, because of their early steps, get locked in to a particular line of thinking. In this case, too, people can end up being the victims of their own assumptions, rigidly following a path that no longer serves them well.

Some investigators describe this rigidity as a problem-solving set—the collection of beliefs and assumptions a person makes about a problem. Other investigators use the term Einstellung, the German word for “attitude,” to describe the problem solvers’ perspective (their beliefs, habits, preferred strat egies, etc.).

A classic demonstration of Finstellung involves the water jar problem, illustrated in Figure 13.11. Most participants find the solution, and once they do so, we give them some new problems. Crucially, though, all of the prob lems in this series can be solved in the same way, using the “formula” shown in the figure.

After solving several problems with this design, participants are given one more problem: Jar A holds 18 ounces; jar B holds 48 ounces; jar C holds 4 ounces. The goal is 22 ounces.. Participants generally solve this problem in the same way they’ve solved the previous problems, failing to see that a more direct route to the goal is possible—by filling A, filling C, and combining them (18 + 4). Their prior success in using the same procedure over and over renders them blind to the more efficient alternative (Luchins. 1942; Luchins & Luchins, 1 950, 1959).

FIGURE 13.11 THE WATER JAR

PROBLEM

You’re given these tnee jars, an jilimitec so ply of water, and an uncalibrated bucket You want to Dow exac:Iy S Dunces o wate irto the bucket: cw can you do it? Tie salut,or is sbowr here, ard can De summarizeo by ‘ormula B-A-2C Orce oart:c caits have solved a couple of problems, though, each of which can be solved in the same way, they seem to grow blind to other solution paths.A B C

Defining the Problem • 491