Problem Solving During Peak and Non-Peak Circadian Arousal
Poster Number
38
College
College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Psychology
Faculty Mentor
Donna Nelson, Ph.D.
Abstract
The aim of our project was to examine variables that inhibit or augment creative thinking about personal social problems. Prior research indicates that types of information processing strategies adopted by people vary as a function of circadian arousal levels and mental fatigue. Non-peak circadian arousal seems to prompt a closed-minded, inflexible approach to information processing (Webster, Richter, & Kruglanski, 1996). This may translate into less flexible and creative thinking about solutions to social problems. Our study focused on the effect of circadian arousal on functionality of solutions to adults’ personal problems. Participants were randomly assigned to complete the experiment in the early morning (7-9 AM), late afternoon (4-6 PM), or at night (9-11 PM). Participants completed the Horne-Osberg (1976) Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Participants were then instructed to describe a personal social problem and generate as many different solutions as possible. Our findings indicate that synchrony of testing time and trait-like circadian arousal patterns influences efficacy of social problem solving. Morning types generated more functional solutions when tested in the morning compared to the late afternoon and night. Evening types generated fewer functional solutions when tested in the morning compared to the late afternoon or night. Operating under non-peak circadian arousal can interfere with generating functional solutions to social problems. A better understanding of the effects of peak and non-peak circadian arousal levels on creative problem solving may be useful for improving functioning in work, academic, and interpersonal contexts.
Start Date
24-4-2015 3:20 PM
End Date
24-4-2015 4:50 PM
Problem Solving During Peak and Non-Peak Circadian Arousal
Richardson Ballroom
The aim of our project was to examine variables that inhibit or augment creative thinking about personal social problems. Prior research indicates that types of information processing strategies adopted by people vary as a function of circadian arousal levels and mental fatigue. Non-peak circadian arousal seems to prompt a closed-minded, inflexible approach to information processing (Webster, Richter, & Kruglanski, 1996). This may translate into less flexible and creative thinking about solutions to social problems. Our study focused on the effect of circadian arousal on functionality of solutions to adults’ personal problems. Participants were randomly assigned to complete the experiment in the early morning (7-9 AM), late afternoon (4-6 PM), or at night (9-11 PM). Participants completed the Horne-Osberg (1976) Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire. Participants were then instructed to describe a personal social problem and generate as many different solutions as possible. Our findings indicate that synchrony of testing time and trait-like circadian arousal patterns influences efficacy of social problem solving. Morning types generated more functional solutions when tested in the morning compared to the late afternoon and night. Evening types generated fewer functional solutions when tested in the morning compared to the late afternoon or night. Operating under non-peak circadian arousal can interfere with generating functional solutions to social problems. A better understanding of the effects of peak and non-peak circadian arousal levels on creative problem solving may be useful for improving functioning in work, academic, and interpersonal contexts.
