Are search engines making us stupid?

Originally posted on The Horizons Tracker.

When asked to dream up unusual uses for everyday items, many people head straight to Google. But a study¹ from Carnegie Mellon University suggests this instinct might come at a cost, at least when it comes to group creativity.

In the study, participants were asked to brainstorm new uses for two objects: umbrellas and shields. Some were allowed to use Google; others had to rely on their own ideas. On their own, people with internet access were no less creative than those without. But when working in groups, something changed: teams that used Google came up with fewer unique ideas.

Homogenous thought

Why? The researchers say search users often hit on the same suggestions—and often in the same order—leading to a narrow set of responses. Without search, people drew more diverse and original ideas from their own thinking.

The contrast was especially clear between the two objects. Online searches offered plenty of quirky uses for umbrellas, making it easier for searchers to copy similar answers. But shields yielded few search results, forcing participants to think more freely. Surprisingly, that made it harder for people to generate creative ideas about umbrellas than shields.

This may be an example of the “fixation effect”—a well-known idea in psychology. Once we see a few examples of how to solve a problem, our minds tend to stick close to those examples, even when better or more original answers exist. For example, if Google suggests “butter” and “jam” when you ask what things can be spread, you’re less likely to think of spreading rumours or disease.

Working with reality

But the study’s authors aren’t calling for a ban on search engines. The point isn’t that the internet ruins creativity—it’s that it changes how we approach problem-solving. The challenge is to figure out how to make the most of these tools without letting them box us in.

One simple fix? Start by brainstorming offline before going online. This might help preserve the originality that comes from personal thought, while still allowing access to the web’s vast resources when needed. As new technologies like AI continue to evolve, understanding how they shape human thinking will be key.

And while it may sound like something from a school assembly—you are unique, and that matters—the researchers think there’s truth in it. Our quirks, biases, and blind spots may be just what helps us solve problems in unexpected ways. The internet can help—but not if we forget to think for ourselves first.

Article source: Are Search Engines Making Us Stupid?

Header image source: Arkan Perdana on Unsplash.

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