Why Good Thoughts Block Better Ones: 1

Why Good Thoughts Block Better Ones

Brian English
18/3/2015
Sarah Sanders
Introduction to Psychology
Spring 2015

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Have you ever been used to completing a task the same way over and over again?
Recognition of a problem you are accustom to solving a certain way can inhibit your ability to
perceive a more effective solution to your problem. This is commonly known as the Einstellung
Effect. This is the natural way our brain thinks throughout the problem solving process. If one
knows how to solve a problem a certain way, they can momentarily be blind to a solution that
could be solved using a simpler method. This is important because having an understanding of
the Einstellung Effect and keeping it in mind when solving problems can be one of the ways to
prevent this from happening. Confirmation bias can play a role in why the Einstellung Effect
takes place. One focuses on information that supports their method of problem solving and can
overlook information that neglects or counteracts their method. The Einstellung Effect and
confirmation bias play a role in everyday life whether it is solving a math problem, cleaning
something a certain way or dealing with certain social situations.
Bilali & McLeod (2014) give an example of the Einstellung effect that can be seen in
the 1942 experiment involving water distribution. Abraham Luchins carried out an experiment in
which he told his volunteers to measure out 100 units of water using containers he provided. The
containers were all different sizes and the participants achieved the task using a simple three step
method. After conducting the same experiment with different sized containers the participants
caught on quickly and knew how to solve the problem using the same method they just learned.
However, Luchins then presented the volunteers with a simpler version of the experiment that
took only two steps. Not one of the participants could solve it and claimed it could not be done.
The participants subjectively looked at the problem the same way and overlooked different
techniques to solve the problem. This is a prime example of the Einstellung effect.

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The Einstellung Effect is carried out in numerous other experiments. Bilali & McLeod
(2014) conducted an experiment in which they invited chess players of all skill levels and tested
their ability to achieve a check mate in as few moves as possible. In this experiment the player
could use a common technique of getting a check mate known as the smothered mate or by a
shorter three step move. Bilali & McLeod focused on the eyes of the players to see if they
affectively looked over the board to see all possible outcomes before deciding which method was
the quickest. When presented with a chess board that could be solved using either method, the
players identified the quickest way of getting a check mate by using the smothered mate.
However, when presented with a board that could be solved only by using the three step method,
it was quickly identified. The Einstellung effect momentarily blinded the three step method from
the players because they had already recognized that the smothered mate could be used. The
researchers found that after identifying the smothered mate, players only looked around that area
of the board, which in turn made them overlook the shorter alternative.
Does identifying a single way of solving a problem obstruct recognition of other
solutions? This is what is known as confirmation bias. Myers (2014) describes confirmation bias
as the way of favoring information that supports a method of problem solving and refutes or
dismisses the information that goes against it. Once information is identified, it is harder for the
brain to process information that could diminish the value of that information. The brain tends to
fixate in a given mindset if it is known to be helpful in reaching a solution. If told to guess the
next letters in a sequence, one would have a much easier time solving something like ABCD. . .
opposed to the letters being arranged differently such as DBCA. . . . This is all due to the mental
set one is in at that given time. A mental set predisposes how anyone will overcome an obstacle
involving problem solving. Scientists often look at this in experiments while testing the level of

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intelligence of a person. Then base the mental set of the participant on whether or not the
individual being studied keeps an open mind and thinks critically in each scenario.
In many cases in an experiment, the person being studied will get the answer wrong but
afterwards feel as though they could have predicted it. This is called a hindsight bias. Myers
(2014) describes hindsight bias as the belief that after learning the end result of an outcome, the
person could have predicted that outcome. Hindsight bias can be associated in many scientific
experiments, such as Luchins experiment involving water distribution. After struggling to come
up with the correct solution using a two-step method, the person involved could think that they
knew how to solve it all along. Confirmation bias and hindsight bias are similar; they both deal
with the way we perceive information. However, confirmation bias deals with overlooking
contradictory information in a means of strengthening initial viewpoints on a topic. While
hindsight bias deals with knowing the solution to a problem and comparing the individuals
mental set of what they were originally thinking about; upon reflection, the individual realized
that he or she had erroneously thought that all along.
In any given scenario in which you are to think critically, viewing information in different
mental sets can be a big help to finding solutions. In Bilali & McLeod (2014) they say that the
most hazardous part of the Einstellung effect is that even though you are trying to think critically,
your brain falls victim to confirmation bias. Your brain selectively neglects other bits of
information that could lead to new ways of attacking a problem. This is why in Bilali &
McLeods chess experiment the players kept stating that the smothered mate was the quickest
option of getting a check mate. Any information that does not support our initial resolution is
often overlooked and ignored. This is why they didnt comprehend that the three-step method
was the quickest way of getting a check mate.

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The initial way we think of solving a problem can inhibit our ability to think of a more
effective and practical way of solving a problem. The Einstellung effect supports this reasoning
and throughout countless experiments such as water distribution or observing chess theories,
people fall into its trap. Confirmation bias hinders our ability to critically switch between
different mental sets and think of a problem in different ways. We lean more towards information
that supports our initial thought process and selectively disregard information that neglects it.
The best way to avoid getting caught in the Einstellung effect is by knowing that it exists and
that you need to attack a problem from all angles.
I personally had an experience with the Einstellung effect while learning a difficult trick
on a skateboard. I was at a stalemate where I had no idea what I was doing wrong because I
wasnt looking at the trick from different perspectives. The maneuver I was trying is called a
kickflip backside tailslide. During the trick the person approaches a ledge with it facing behind
them. The person then flips the skateboard by popping and flicking off the nose of the board.
Once the board flips all the way around, you then turn ninety degrees and place just the tail of the
board on the ledge and begin to slide. Once balanced in the tailslide you then adjust your
shoulders ninety degrees and pop out of the trick and roll away. Initially I thought that the way to
get into the trick was all one fluid motion. After numerous failed attempts I had realized that it
actually consisted of a few distinct muscle movements. I had to think of it as two different tricks,
first pop the kickflip and then turn and get into the tailslide. I was momentarily blind to the
correct way of thinking about the execution of the trick.

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References
Bilalic, M., & McLeod, P. (2014). Why good thoughts block better ones. Scientific American,
310, 74-79.
Myers, D. G. (2014). Exploring psychology: Ninth edition in modules. New York, NY:
Worth Publisher.