Question

According to the text, what is one of the current criticisms of unconscious processes and their involvement in problem solving and creativity?

a. The accounts of those who have experienced unconscious problem solving are based on introspective self-reports rather than objective evidence.
b. Problem solving cannot possibly employ unconscious processes because the brain can focus on only one task at a time.
c. There is no way for current techniques for studying the brain (e.g., fMRI) to measure unconscious processes in order to verify their use in problem solving.
d. Previous studies on unconscious problem solving have not used proper introspection techniques, such as hypnosis or sodium amytal,

Answer 1

The criticism is that self-reported experiences of unconscious problem solving are not based on objective evidence, making their validity questionable. Despite this, theories like activation-synthesis and research on heuristics suggest that unconscious processes play a key role in our cognitive functions.

Step-by-step explanation:

One of the current criticisms of unconscious processes and their involvement in problem solving and creativity is as follows: The accounts of those who have experienced unconscious problem solving are based on introspective self-reports rather than objective evidence. This criticism centers on the challenge of verifying self-reported experiences, which may be subjective and imprecise, against measured, objective evidence, such as physiological data or consistent behavioral outcomes. Critics argue that without objective evidence, interpretations of unconscious processes remain speculative and may not have a verifiable basis.

In contrast, other views, such as the activation-synthesis theory of dreaming by neuroscientist Alan Hobson, offer new ways to understand unconscious processes through the production and analysis of dreams. Additionally, research by Kahneman and others on heuristics and automated decision-making shows that much of our mental processing occurs without conscious awareness, further suggesting that the unconscious mind plays a significant role in everyday problem solving and creativity.