From Walls to Windows: Using Barriers as Pathways to Insightful Solutions

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore and develop a conceptual model for how individuals unlock insight. The concept of insight -the 'out of the box' or 'aha!' solution to a problem -offers a framework for exploring and understanding how best to enhance problem solving skills due to the cognitive shift insight requires. Creative problem solving (CPS) is inherent to a variety of performance realms including effective decision making, innovation, and organizational development; however, related processes of insight, innovation and creativity remain intangible. The model, based on a review of the problem solving literature, proposes that insight involves a five stage, cyclical process emerging as: primary appraisal of the problem, secondary appraisal based on prior knowledge, initial focus, problem representation, and solution generation when, if no solution is found, the cycle begins again. The research has implications for individual, team and organizational settings suggesting that performance on a wide variety of problems may be improved by utilizing an integrated focus rather than a barrier or goal focus alone.

Taking a Future Generation’s Perspective as a Facilitator of Insight Problem-Solving: Sustainable Water Supply Management

“…After listing several factors hindering insight problem (re)structuring, Walinga [14] lists several pathways to overcome such obstacles. They are: (1) Positive interpretation; (2) divergence training;…”

“…(3) constraint relaxation; and (4) cognitive readiness. Failure, listed as the fifth item, is omitted in this study because Walinga [14] implies that failure to reframe a problem might encourage problem solvers to overcome obstacles by using some of the first four pathways.…”

“…In regards to the first pathway, positive interpretation, Walinga [14] argues that accepting or positively interpreting perceived threats frees the cognitive resources required to focus on the task at hand. She also uses "stressors" synonymously with "threat," and thus, threats are here interpreted as stressors felt during problem solving.…”

“…experience [13] that results from sustained effort in which sudden insight breaks the impasse with systemic problem formulation and elegant sustainable solutions. Walinga [14] proposes a cyclic IPS procedure with five stages: (1) Primary appraisal of the problem; (2) secondary appraisal based on prior knowledge; (3) initial focus; (4) problem representation; and (5) solution generation. On this basis, she proposes pathways to overcome the obstacles of insightful problem (re)framing, as detailed below.…”

“…With Walinga [14] in mind, the present study investigated how Future Design, emerging from the future studies discipline, contributes to overcoming obstacles of insightful problem (re)framing. According to Saijo [15], Future Design aims to sustainably promote society's transition by stimulating people's sympathy for future generations.…”