title: Suppressed semantic information accelerates analytic problem solving.
abstract: The present study investigated the limits of semantic processing without awareness, during continuous flash suppression (CFS). We used compound remote associate word problems, in which three seemingly unrelated words (e.g., pine, crab, sauce) form a common compound with a single solution word (e.g., apple). During the first 3 s of each trial, the three problem words or three irrelevant words (control condition) were suppressed from awareness, using CFS. The words then became visible, and participants attempted to solve the word problem. Once the participants solved the problem, they indicated whether they had solved it by insight or analytically. Overall, the compound remote associate word problems were solved significantly faster after the problem words, as compared with irrelevant words, were presented during the suppression period. However this facilitation occurred only when people solved with analysis, not with insight. These results demonstrate that semantic processing, but not necessarily semantic integration, may occur without awareness.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2029 Sheridan Road - 102 Swift Hall, Evanston, IL 60208, USA. darya.zabelina@u.northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Darya L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Zabelina
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Guzman-Martinez
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ortega
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grabowecky
authors.forename: Satoru
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Beeman
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001364:Awareness; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011340:Problem Solving / Q000502:physiology*; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000502:physiology; D012660:Semantics; D013360:Subliminal Stimulation; D055815:Young Adult