Solving problems under time pressure

Solving problems under time pressure is a Dimension of cognitive ability. It describes a person's tendency to find good solutions under time pressure rather than tackling problems with enough time (Duncker, 1935).

According to Duncker (1935), the Ability to Solving problems under time pressure What is needed when we pursue a goal but don't know how to achieve it. Especially the Acquiring new knowledge And the application These are an important part of this (e.g. Greiff et al., 2013).

‍ This allows a person's ability to solve problems under time pressure on a continuum between the two poles without time pressure and under time pressure Classify. The value of each person can therefore be located at one point on the following scale:

without time pressure

People who good solutions to problems rather without time pressureThey prefer working environments in which they can usually complete tasks calmly and with accuracy.

They find their ideal environment particularly in jobs where more Routine tasks with fewer problems, or sufficient time to resolve these issues are given.

under time pressure

People who good solutions to problems rather under time pressurefind, prefer a dynamic, constantly changing work environment, in which they are required to solve tasks usually quickly and well.

They find their ideal environment in particular in jobs in which they work with diverse and varied problems within a very short time see confronted (Mainert et al., 2019).

Benefits in a professional context

We are confronted with problems in almost every job. But in some jobs, problem solutions are more time-critical and in others less time-critical. It therefore depends on the characteristics of an applicant, whether she is an ideal fit for a position.

In occupations with many routine tasks and predefined structures and processes problems can be solved without time pressure (e.g. Betsch and Haberstroh 2005).

On the other hand, problem solving under time pressure is particularly needed in jobs that involve very many and frequent new, complex Set tasks for employees.

How do you record problem solving under time pressure?

Want to learn more about your applicants' ability to solve problems under time pressure?

With our Game-based assessment “Boy Scouts” Find out in the blink of an eye. This requires users to find the right path through a maze within a very short period of time. How do they deal with time pressure?

Sources

• Betsch, T., & Haberstroh, S. (2005). Current Research on Routine Decision Making: Advances and Prospects. The routines of decision making, 359-376.
• Duncker, K. (1935). On the psychology of productive thinking. [The psychology of productive thought]. Springer.
• English, L.D. (1997). The development of fifth-grade children's problem-posing abilities. Educational studies in mathematics, 34 (3), 183-217.
• Fernandez-Duque, D., Baird, J.A., & Posner, M.I. (2000). Executive attention and metacognitive regulation. Consciousness and Cognition, 9 (2), 288-307.
• Funke, J., & Fritz, A. (1995). About planning, problem solving and action.
• Greiff, S., Fischer, A., Wüstenberg, S., Sonnleitner, P., Brunner, M., & Martin, R. (2013). A multitrait—multimethod study of assessment instruments for complex problem solving. Intelligence, 41 (5), 579-596.
• Mainert, J., Niepel, C., Murphy, K.R., & Greiff, S. (2019). The incremental contribution of complex problem-solving skills to the prediction of job level, job complexity, and salary. Journal of Business and Psychology, 34 (6), 825-845.
• Salovey, P., & Mayer, J.D. (1990). Emotional intelligence. Imagination, Cognition and Personality, 9 (3), 185-211.
• Tulving, E. (1972). Episodic and semantic memory. Organization of Memory, 1, 381-403.
• Zeidner, Moshe, Gerald Matthews, and Richard D. Roberts. “Emotional Intelligence in the Workplace: A Critical Review.” Applied Psychology 53.3 (2004): 371-399.

Aivy measures solving problems under time pressure in a game-based assessment.