Does Faster Problem-Solving Improve Accuracy? Examining Cognitive Predictors in the Speed-Accuracy Trade-Off

Author
Seyed Mohammad Saeid Sahaf
Neuroscience Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran
Abstract
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.
Keywords
Problem-Solving
Speed-Accuracy Tradeoff
Self-control
Delay Time
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