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ADHD symptom magnitude predicts creative problem-solving performance and insight versus analysis solving modes
Journal article   Open access   Peer reviewed

ADHD symptom magnitude predicts creative problem-solving performance and insight versus analysis solving modes

Hannah Maisano, Christine Chesebrough, Fengqing Zhang, Brian Daly, Mark Beeman and John Kounios
Personality and individual differences, v 254, 113660
May 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2026.113660
Featured in Collection :   Drexel's Newest Publications
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https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2026.113660View
Published, Version of Record (VoR)Open Access via Drexel Libraries Read and Publish Program 2026CC BY-NC V4.0,  Open

Abstract

ADHD Convergent thinking Creativity Insight Problem-solving
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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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Psychology, Social

Research   14 Feb 2026

Psypost (Karina Petrova)
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