Personality Correlates of Anagram Problem Solving

The relationship between personality and problem solving was studied by correlating anagram-solving performance with the 15 motivational traits measured by the Edwards Personal Preference Schedule. The results revealed a clear-cut pattern of relationships in which significant positive correlations were obtained between the socially oriented needs of Affiliation, Succorance, Nurturance, and Heterosexuality, while significant negative correlations were obtained for Deference, Intraception, and Endurance. The findings suggest that anagram solving is more sensitive to the socially oriented rather than the nonsocial needs of the solver, and that Endurance shows promise as a measure of problem-solving rigidity.