Hatching a Theory of Incubation Effects

Does putting a problem aside to incubate really help, We address this question through a review of the literature on incubation that includes discussion of the four stage theory of creative thought Wallas, 1926, the distinction between conscious and unconscious work, and an in depth look at the cognitive mechanisms that might underlie incubation effects. A critical examination of the experimental studies on incubation reveals a wide range of findings -- some in apparent contradiction. We argue that this apparent confusion results mostly from a failure to consider the interaction of factors affecting incubation. These factors include the nature of the primary and interpolated tasks, the length and timing of the interruption incubation period, and individual differences in the knowledge and abilities of subjects. Progress, towards understanding incubation may depend upon developing a unified theory -- one that will take into account the interactions of the different factors in a consistent and principled way. We offer one such unified theory as an example, illustrating how a unified approach might account for the existing empirical literature on incubation including several previously puzzling results. Keywords Incubation, Problem solving, Creativity, Interruptions.