Address for correspondence:

Previous research has found that having a nonspecific goal (NSG) leads to better problem solving and transfer than a specific goal (SG). To distinguish between the various explanations of this effect requires direct evidence showing how a NSG affects a participant’s behavior. Therefore we collected verbal protocols from participants learning to control a linear system consisting of 3 outputs by manipulating 3 inputs. This system was simpler than the one we had used previously, so in Exp. 1 we generalized our earlier goal specificity findings to this system. In Exp. 2 protocol analysis confirmed our prediction (based on dual-space theories of problem solving) that NSG participants focussed on hypothesis testing whereas SG participants focussed on the goal. However, this difference only emerged over time. We also replicated the goal specificity effect on performance and showed that giving participants a hypothesis to test improved performance. Goal specificity 3 Goal specificity effects on hypothesis testing in problem solving Effects of goal specificity on problem solving have been found in a number of recen