Cognitive change in insight problem solving: Initial model errors and counterexamples

We report the results of four experiments that examined the cognitive changes that occur in problem solvers' mental models of insight problems. The experiments showed that participants produced more correct solutions to insight problems that required single steps than multiple steps. Experiment 1 showed that their diagrams and explanations corresponded to initial model errors. Experiment 2 found more correct solutions for problems reworded to enable the retrieval of counterexamples to common assumptions. Experiment 3 found more correct solutions when physical props enabled the construction of a counterexample to the initial erroneous model and also to subsequent erroneous models. Experiment 4 showed more correct solutions when physical props limited the subsequent possibilities. The implications of the results for alternative theories of insight problem solving are discussed.