Transitional Probability Effects on Anagram Solving in a Group Setting

Summary

An attempt was made to replicate two earlier group anagram solving studies, with the addition of procedures designed to study the effects of Ss making overt trial and error attempts at solution on paper. Fifty male and female college students were given a list of 20 anagrams to solve. Ten of the anagrams were of the high transitional probability (HTP) type, and 10 were of the low transitional probability (LTP) type. One group of Ss was given scrap paper and was encouraged to make attempts at solution on the paper. The other group was given no scrap paper and was specifically instructed not to make any attempts at solution on the answer sheet, but, rather, to make all attempts at solution “in their head.” Results revealed no significant differences between either the number of HTP and LTP anagrams solved or the scrap paper/no scrap paper grouping.