Individual Differences in Anagram-Solving Ability

Abstract

Anagram solution was, as expected, significantly correlated with level of vocabulary (r = .29), but, while high anagram scores are associated with high vocabulary, low anagram scores are as often associated with high as with low vocabulary. MMPI measures of Anxiety and Repression were unrelated to anagram solution. In a second study, as predicted, Mednick's RAT, the Gottschaldt Figures Test and an incidental recall measure were significantly correlated with anagram solution (r = .43, .40, and .31, respectively, multiple R = .55), but the Stroop test, an incidental recognition measure and digit span measures were not. Two factors apparently underlie anagram solving ability—an adequate level of familiarity with words and the ability to shift attention in a directed but flexible manner.