Abstract

That alcohol provides a benefit to creative processes has long been assumed by popular culture, but to date has not been tested. The current experiment tested the effects of moderate alcohol intoxication on a common creative problem solving task, the Remote Associates Test (RAT). Individuals were brought to a blood alcohol content of approximately .075, and, after reaching peak intoxication, completed a battery of RAT items. Intoxicated individuals solved more RAT items, in less time, and were more likely to perceive their solutions as the result of a sudden insight. Results are interpreted from an attentional control perspective.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Jarosz AF, Colflesh GJ, Wiley J

Institution

Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison St. MC 285, Chicago, IL 60647, USA. ajaros5@uic.edu

Source

Consciousness and cognition 21:1 2012 Mar pg 487-93

MeSH

Adult
Alcoholic Intoxication
Attention
Creativeness
Executive Function
Humans
Male
Problem Solving
United States
Word Association Tests

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22285424