play play play modal-close

Close

“The Penny Drops”: Investigating Insight Through the Medium of Cryptic Crosswords (Academic Article, 2018)

A new protocol for eliciting insight (“Aha!”/Eureka) moments is proposed, involving the solving of British-style cryptic crosswords.

More on projectHide project details

'The mechanics of cryptic crossword clues are briefly explained, and the process is set into the insight literature, with parallels being drawn between several different types of cryptic crossword clues and other insight-triggering problems such as magic, jokes, anagrams, rebus, and remote association puzzles (RAT), as well as “classic” thematic or spatial challenges. We have evidence from a previous survey of cryptic crossword solvers that the “Aha!” moment is the most important driver of continued participation in this hobby, suggesting that the positive emotional “payback” has an energizing effect on a participant's motivation to continue solving. Given the success with which a good quality cryptic crossword elicits “Aha!” moments, cryptics should prove highly valuable in exploring insight under lab conditions.'

[p.1]

Dr Kathryn Friedlander Greater Oxford, United Kingdom

Lecturer in Psychology at the University of Buckingham. Programme Director for the MSc in Creativity and Performance Expertise, and leader of the school's CREATE (Centre for Research into Expertise Acquisition, Training and Excellence) hub.

New to Tabb?

FIND OUT MORE

Create free account  |  Sign in