title: Uncorking the muse: alcohol intoxication facilitates creative problem solving.
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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, University of Illinois at Chicago, 1007 W. Harrison St. MC 285, Chicago, IL 60647, USA. ajaros5@uic.edu
authors.forename: Andrew F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Jarosz
authors.forename: Gregory J H
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Colflesh
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wiley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000435:Alcoholic Intoxication / Q000523:psychology*; D001288:Attention; D003405:Creativity; D056344:Executive Function; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving; D014481:United States; D014936:Word Association Tests