Level of Activity and Success in Solving an Unfamiliar Task

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Abstract
In a typical problem situation the individual may be successful by attacking the elements deviating from the familiar state of affairs. Some tasks, however, are of a nature demanding totally new lines of attack. In these unfamiliar situations success seems to be independent of ability factors measured by traditional or new types of tests. Maier's Hatrack Problem is an example of an unfamiliar task, where intelligence seems to be of little help. In a group of 100 university students, 46 solved the Hatrack Problem within 30 min. As expected, ability factors did not differentiate solvers and non-solvers. While number of unsuccessful solution attempts were counted, however, a significant difference ( p < 0.001) favoring solvers was found. It is concluded that level of activity, in the sense of constructive attempts at solution, may be an important determinant in the solution of unfamiliar tasks.

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