This chapter presents initial experimental evidence that the information about the number of possible solutions of a puzzle, given to puzzle solvers, stimulates their creativity. Related pilot studies were carried out with six geometric and two arithmetic matchstick puzzles for which many book authors commonly published only one solution, not escaping from the cognitive bias “one puzzle—one solution”. Puzzle solvers involved were asked in different wordings to find multiple solutions, which are either visually or fundamentally different. They were informed about the number of sought solutions, supposing that this information will stimulate and increase their creative performances. In all studies, participants were more creative than book authors, finding more puzzle solutions, some of which were never published in the literature. These results strongly suggest that the authors of book with matchstick puzzles should include, after formulations of all multiple-solution puzzles, the number of possible different solutions and publish them in solution section.

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Stimulating Creativity by Information About the Number Possible Puzzle Solutions: A Few Small-Scale Pilot Studies

  • Josip Slisko

摘要

This chapter presents initial experimental evidence that the information about the number of possible solutions of a puzzle, given to puzzle solvers, stimulates their creativity. Related pilot studies were carried out with six geometric and two arithmetic matchstick puzzles for which many book authors commonly published only one solution, not escaping from the cognitive bias “one puzzle—one solution”. Puzzle solvers involved were asked in different wordings to find multiple solutions, which are either visually or fundamentally different. They were informed about the number of sought solutions, supposing that this information will stimulate and increase their creative performances. In all studies, participants were more creative than book authors, finding more puzzle solutions, some of which were never published in the literature. These results strongly suggest that the authors of book with matchstick puzzles should include, after formulations of all multiple-solution puzzles, the number of possible different solutions and publish them in solution section.