Script Author: Katja Borchert, Ph.D. (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Created: January 26, 2015
Last Modified: January 21, 2024 by K. Borchert (katjab@millisecond.com), Millisecond
Script Copyright © Millisecond Software, LLC
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.
10 minutes
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.
This script uses the 11 problems from Luchins & Luchins (1950). To change the problems, go to
section Editable Lists and edit the Lists ( 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.
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.
The instructions are not original and can be edited under section Editable Instructions
File Name: luchinswaterJugtask_summary*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| inquisit.version | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| startDate | Date the session was run |
| startTime | Time the session was run |
| subjectId | Participant ID |
| groupId | Group number |
| sessionId | Session number |
| elapsedTime | Session duration in ms |
| completed | 0 = Test was not completed 1 = Test was completed |
| countCorrect | Counts all correct test problems |
| einstellungsMethod | Parameter: "-1A+1B-2C" (default EintellungsMethod for test problem 1-10) |
| counteinstellungsMethod | Counts all test problems that were solved with the einstellungsMethod test1Acc- |
| test10Acc | Accuracy for test problem 1-10: 1 = correct; 0 = incorrect test1Solution- |
| test10Solution | The proposed algebraic solution expression for test problem 1-10 test1Einstellung- |
| test10Einstellung | Use of the einstellungsMethod for test problem 1-10: 1 = yes; 2 = no |
File Name: luchinswaterJugtask_raw*.iqdat
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| build | Inquisit version number |
| computer.platform | Device platform: win | mac |ios | android |
| date | Date the session was run |
| time | Time the session was run |
| subject | Participant ID |
| group | Group number |
| session | Session number |
| blockCode | Name of the current block |
| blockNum | Number of the current block |
| trialCode | Name of the current trial |
| trialNum | Number of the current trial |
| 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 |
The procedure can be adjusted by setting the following parameters.
| Name | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
| 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 | 10 |