Promoting insightful problem solving

This work assessed whether insightful problem solving could be trained. Spe cifically, we tested whether solutions to a heterogeneous set of verbal ins ight problems could be promoted. A training scheme was developed to promote the application of mechanisms that underlie the process of restructuring. Training across the five experiments consisted of different combinations of the following training techniques: advance strategic instructions, varying amounts of practice, practice with different types of feedback, and proble m comparison. Results from all five experiments showed that training can pr omote solutions to verbal insight problems. Facilitation effects ranged fro m a 14%-24% gain in overall solution rates relative to no-treatment control s. This work demonstrated that insightful problem solving could be trained at a relatively high level of generality.