___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Luchins' Water Jug Task ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC Date: 08-26-2015 last updated: 03-21-2024 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com) for Millisecond Software, LLC Script Copyright © 03-21-2024 Millisecond Software ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ BACKGROUND INFO ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This script implements a computerized version of the Water Jug Task, a task to study problem-solving using "Einstellung" (being 'set' on a particular method to solve problems) even if the 'Einstellung' method is not the most efficient nor the simplest. The implemented procedure is based on: Luchins, A.S., & Luchins, E.H. (1950). New experimental attempts at preventing mechanization in problem solving. Journal of General Psychology, 42, 279-297. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ TASK DESCRIPTION ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Participants are asked to figure out how to measure out a specific amount of water using 3 water jugs of different sizes whose volume is known (1 practice problem + 10 test problems). All test problems can be solved with a particular 'Einstellungs' solution (acquired in the first 5 problems), but the last 5 test problems have simpler solutions. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DURATION ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ the default set-up of the script takes appr. 10 minutes to complete ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ DATA FILE INFORMATION ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The default data stored in the data files are: (1) Raw data file: 'luchinswaterjugtask_raw*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant) build: The specific Inquisit version used (the 'build') that was run computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android) date, time: date and time script was run subject, group: with the current subject/groupnumber session: with the current session id blockcode, blocknum: the name and number of the current block (built-in Inquisit variable) trialcode, trialnum: the name and number of the currently recorded trial (built-in Inquisit variable) Note: trialnum is a built-in Inquisit variable; it counts all trials run; even those that do not store data to the data file such as feedback trials. Thus, trialnum may not reflect the number of main trials run per block. round: round information: 0 = practice; 1-10 = test jugAvolume: stores the volume of jug A jugBvolume: stores the volume of jug B jugCvolume: stores the volume of jug C jugTotal: stores the to be calculated amount of water Einstellungsmethod: Parameter: "-1A+1B-2C" (default Eintellungsmethod for test problem 1-10) response: the participant's response for the current trial -> either mouse input or key scancode latency: the response latency (in ms) solution: contains the solution to the arithmetic expression, e.g. "29" algebraicexpression: contains the proposed algebraic expression, e.g. "+1A-2B+3C" arithmeticexpression: contains the proposed arithmetic expression, e.g. "+1*32-2*5+3*4" ACC: 1 = the proposed solution is correct; 0 = the proposed solution is incorrect problemRT: cumulative latency of a trial sequence (in ms) usedEinstellungsmethod: 1 = true: participant used Einstellungsmethod; 0 = false, participants did not use Einstellungsmethod (2) Summary data file: 'luchinswaterjugtask_summary*.iqdat' (a separate file for each participant) inquisit.version: Inquisit version run computer.platform: the platform the script was run on (win/mac/ios/android) startDate: date script was run startTime: time script was started subjectid: assigned subject id number groupid: assigned group id number sessionid: assigned session id number elapsedTime: time it took to run script (in ms); measured from onset to offset of script completed: 0 = script was not completed (prematurely aborted); 1 = script was completed (all conditions run) countcorrect: counts all correct test problems Einstellungsmethod: Parameter: "-1A+1B-2C" (default Eintellungsmethod for test problem 1-10) count_Einstellungsmethod: counts all test problems that were solved with the Einstellungsmethod test1_acc- test10_acc: accuracy for test problem 1-10: 1 = correct; 0 = incorrect test1_solution- test10_solution: the proposed algebraic solution expression for test problem 1-10 test1_Einstellung- test10_Einstellung: use of the Einstellungsmethod for test problem 1-10: 1 = yes; 2 = no ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ This script uses the 11 problems from Luchins & Luchins (1950). To change the problems, go to section Editable Lists and edit the Lists (Note: parameters.Einstellungsmethod under section Editable Parameters might also need to be changed) Practice Block: the practice block presents the first problem to offer participants experience with the interface. It presents feedback and is repeated until participants get it correct or for max. 10 repetitions. If practice problem is not solved after 10 attempts, the script prematurely terminates. Test Blocks: 10 test blocks; each presenting one of the 10 remaining test problems. The test blocks do not present feedback. Note: If a time limit is required, set the time under section Editable Values and then go to section BLOCKS and follow further instructions. The first 5 problems are solved with the "Einstellungs Solution". The last 5 problems can be solved with the "Einstellungs Solution" but have alternative, easier solutions. ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ INSTRUCTIONS ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ The instructions are not original and can be edited under section Editable Instructions ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ EDITABLE CODE ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ check below for (relatively) easily editable parameters, stimuli, instructions etc. Keep in mind that you can use this script as a template and therefore always "mess" with the entire code to further customize your experiment. The parameters you can change are: /trialtimeout: IF a timelimit is required for each test trial, set the time here (in ms) and then go to section BLOCKS and follow further instructions /Einstellungsmethod: stores the Einstellungsmethod for test problem 1-10 = "-1A+1B-2C" (depends on problems used) /maxPracticeTrials: the maximum number of times the practice problem is repeated until the script aborts (default: 10)