Journal article
ADHD symptom magnitude predicts creative problem-solving performance and insight versus analysis solving modes
Personality and individual differences, v 254, 113660
May 2026
Featured in Collection : Drexel's Newest Publications
Abstract
Executive-function deficits associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) symptoms have been hypothesized to benefit creativity via enhanced access to remote, non-obvious associations. This suggests that ADHD may facilitate the unconscious, automatic (Type-1) processing mode responsible for creative insight (i.e., the “Aha” phenomenon) while diminishing conscious, deliberate (Type-2) analytic processing. We tested this hypothesis in an online study in which 299 participants completed the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale to assess ADHD symptom severity and attempted to solve a series of Compound Remote Associates problems to assess insight- versus analytic-based problem-solving. Individuals with the highest ADHD symptom severity relied more on insight than analysis compared to those with the lowest symptoms. Both the extreme high- and low-ADHD symptom groups outperformed those in the middle of the distribution to yield a U-shaped curve, suggesting that strong and weak executive function facilitate different pathways to solution while moderate executive function is less effective. Regression analyses suggest that stronger ADHD symptoms diminish analytic solving while enhancing insight solving, explaining the U-shaped curve. These findings support previous research which suggests two routes—and profiles—for creative problem solving: deliberate analysis versus spontaneous insight, the latter associated with stronger ADHD symptoms.
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Details
- Title
- ADHD symptom magnitude predicts creative problem-solving performance and insight versus analysis solving modes
- Creators
- Hannah Maisano - Drexel UniversityChristine Chesebrough - Northwestern UniversityFengqing Zhang - Drexel UniversityBrian Daly - Drexel UniversityMark Beeman - Northwestern UniversityJohn Kounios (Corresponding Author) - Drexel University
- Publication Details
- Personality and individual differences, v 254, 113660
- Publisher
- Elsevier
- Number of pages
- 7
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- Psychological and Brain Sciences (Psychology)
- Web of Science ID
- WOS:001671752800002
- Other Identifier
- 991022155350004721