Volume12, Issue 4
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Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran , sahhafms4022@mums.ac.ir
Abstract: (196 Views)
Problem-solving is a goal-directed cognitive process that involves evaluating a problem and generating solutions to achieve desired outcomes. This skill is influenced by optimal timing regulation and self-control. The present study aimed to examine the role of total time, delay time, task difficulty, reaction time, and self-control in the speed-accuracy trade-off.
The sample consisted of 54 female students aged 10 to 11 years, with no history of illness, who were selected through convenience sampling from non-profit schools in Mashhad during the 2022–2023 academic year. The Tower of London task was used to assess accuracy in problem-solving, delay time, total time, and task difficulty, while the Flanker task was employed to measure self-control and reaction time. Multiple regression and mediation analyses were conducted in SPSS-26 to predict the influence of these variables on problem-solving accuracy.
The results indicated that total time (β = -0.769), delay time (β = 0.574), task difficulty (β = 0.388), and reaction time (β = -0.160) significantly predicted problem-solving accuracy. Specifically, an increase in total time led to decreased accuracy, whereas a longer delay before initiating problem-solving improved accuracy. Although the moderating role of self-control in the relationship between delay time, total time, and accuracy was not significant (p > 0.05), stepwise regression revealed that self-control was a significant predictor of accuracy (β = 0.157).
Thus, timing plays a crucial role in problem-solving accuracy. Allocating sufficient time for cognitive processing before responding can enhance performance, whereas prolonged problem-solving may reduce accuracy due to increased cognitive load or inefficient strategies. However, task difficulty and the nature of the task are also key factors in this relationship. The non-significant moderating effect of self-control may be attributed to its broader connections with other cognitive dimensions in participants.
The sample consisted of 54 female students aged 10 to 11 years, with no history of illness, who were selected through convenience sampling from non-profit schools in Mashhad during the 2022–2023 academic year. The Tower of London task was used to assess accuracy in problem-solving, delay time, total time, and task difficulty, while the Flanker task was employed to measure self-control and reaction time. Multiple regression and mediation analyses were conducted in SPSS-26 to predict the influence of these variables on problem-solving accuracy.
The results indicated that total time (β = -0.769), delay time (β = 0.574), task difficulty (β = 0.388), and reaction time (β = -0.160) significantly predicted problem-solving accuracy. Specifically, an increase in total time led to decreased accuracy, whereas a longer delay before initiating problem-solving improved accuracy. Although the moderating role of self-control in the relationship between delay time, total time, and accuracy was not significant (p > 0.05), stepwise regression revealed that self-control was a significant predictor of accuracy (β = 0.157).
Thus, timing plays a crucial role in problem-solving accuracy. Allocating sufficient time for cognitive processing before responding can enhance performance, whereas prolonged problem-solving may reduce accuracy due to increased cognitive load or inefficient strategies. However, task difficulty and the nature of the task are also key factors in this relationship. The non-significant moderating effect of self-control may be attributed to its broader connections with other cognitive dimensions in participants.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
psychology of human behavior
Received: 2024/11/20 | Accepted: 2026/03/21
Received: 2024/11/20 | Accepted: 2026/03/21
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