October 2008
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Attention Switching and Problem Solving

Psychologists at Northwestern University in Illinois explore the connections between conscious and “unconscious” processing [via telegraph.co.uk]:

A moment spent working on something else or taking a break altogether allows the brain’s unconscious thought process to take over, American psychologists believe. When the brain kicks back into gear, the conscious thought process will pick up on the solution, they found…

Professor Adam Galinsky, who led the study, said: “Conscious thought is better at making linear, analytic decisions, but unconscious thought is especially effective at solving complex problems. Unconscious activation may provide inspirational sparks underlying the ‘Aha!’ moment that eventually leads to important discoveries.”

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