The solution is to swing one of the ropes like a pendulum and grab the other while waiting for it to swing back. The momentum of the rope that was swung will bring it close enough to the participant who is now holding the other rope.

University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

There are two strings hanging from the ceiling that are sufficiently far apart so that a subject can't hold onto both at the same time. Chairs and pliers are available to the subject.

The two string problem

Goldstein, E. B. (2014). Cognitive psychology: Connecting mind, research and everyday experience. Nelson Education.


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