According to Wallas (1926), there are four distinct stages in the problem solving process: Preparation, Incubation, Illumination, and Verification.
(A) Of the four problem-solving operations, I believe they are all useful and to some extent essential for the problem solving process. The solver might not always experience the stages of incubation and illumination if the solution seems clear, but there will be instances when it will be necessary to call up past experiences to reach a successful solution.
The first stage of Preparation is useful because it is important to identify the problem and immediately try to think of possible solutions. The Preparation stage is so important because the solver makes the first attempts to solve the problem.
The second stage of Incubation is useful because sometimes the best thing a solver can do is to step back from a problem to let the mind rest. Many times a solution is very clear, but the solver can not see the solution because they are thinking to hard about the problem. Then unconsciously, the solver will continue to solve the problem.
The third stage of Illumination is useful because it pulls the thoughts from the unconscious level to the conscious level of thought. This is sometimes called the A-HA’s because it occurs in an instant or flash of thought that makes the solution seem crystal clear. Many times the flash of insight may be a past experience called up from the unconscious level to reach a solution.
The final stage of Verification is useful because it confirms the solution and tests its validity. Solutions in this stage are examples of productive thinking that has occurred throughout the four stages.
(B) I recently used all of these operations to solve a problem. I was working on the computer using the Internet and went to make a phone call. I picked up the telephone and did not hear a dial tone. The other phone in the kitchen was working, so I did not understand why the office phone was not working. I then knew the problem was only with the office phone and immediately started checking all of the plugs connecting into the extension cord and the phone cord (Preparation). After checking every wire possible I became frustrated and turned off the computer and left the office (Incubation). While watching television I suddenly realized that the phone will not work if I am on the Internet (Illumination). At that instant I went into the office and picked up the phone and heard the dial tone of the phone (Verification). I felt kind of silly that I did not remember the Internet tied up the phone line, but I was glad I had solved the problem. Unconsciously I did know, it just took a little bit of time to remember.
(C) I do not believe this process is universal because this sequence of problem-solving operations is not necessary for all problem-solving situations. Every problem requires identification and then attempts to solve the problem, but sometimes the solver immediately comes up with a solution and goes directly to the verification stage. The problem solver might not always need to recall past experiences. Other times the solver does need a period of Incubation and Illumination experiencing unconscious to conscious thought to reach a solution. In those problem- solving situations, this sequence of steps would be appropriate and helpful, but for others the solution might not always occur in this specific sequence.
(D) I agree with Gestalt’s theory that unconsciously the mind is continuing to work on a problem even when a person is not aware. Then when the unconscious mind finds a solution it moves it to the conscious mind. I believe this because A-HA’s happen to me all the time. I will be totally involved in an activity and will blurt out a solution to something that happened hours or even days ago. However, I do not think this kind of thought process can be measured. As seen through many experiments and studies, learned information is revealed in a variety of ways. I do not see how unconscious thought could be accurately measured through any means of assessment.
(E) I believe the discrete nature of these problem-solving stages reflects my problem solving process some of the time, but not always. As I mentioned in the previous example about my experience with the dial tone of the phone, the sequence of Wallas’s stages reflects my thought process exactly. On the other hand, I do not think my problem solving thought process always occurs in such distinct steps. Agreeing with critics to this model, I do not think a solver’s thought process can always be defined. Although I experience A-HA’s quite often, I do not always confirm the solution immediately. Many times I might make attempts to solve the problem, leave it for awhile, make more attempts, think of another idea and test that, and finally verify and confirm the solution. I think most of the time my problem-solving process is a few steps forward, a few steps backward, and then a few more steps forward, rather than four distinct stages forward. I believe it is important to understand Wallas’s stages to problem solving, but to solve the problem in whatever way works best for you!