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Functional fixedness

US

Uģis Seržants

Transcript

Loosening a screw

Candle problem

9 points

Some crazy ideas

Mental shortcut allowing us to quickly and efficiently determine a practical use for an object

Task:

Open a toolbox and find a tool that can be used to loosen a screw

Tremendous amount of time to analyze every item in the box to determine how effective it might be at performing the task

Quickly grab a screwdriver

Common barriers to problem solving

  • Confirmation bias
  • Mental set
  • Functional fixedness
  • Unnecessary constraints
  • Irrelevant information

Metal nail into a wall

Functional fixedness

A Classic Example of Functional Fixedness

Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used

Karl Duncker defined functional fixedness as being a "mental block against using an object in a new way that is required to solve a problem"

Unable to find a missing tool - hammer

Friend suggests using a metal wrench

Why didn't you think of using the metal wrench?

Many people might immediately start trying to use the thumbtacks to affix the candles to the wall.

There is another solution.

Using the matches, melt the bottom part of each candle and then use the hot wax to stick the candle to the match box. Once the candles are attached to the box, use the thumbtacks to stick the box to the wall.

Conclusion

Think outside the box

Few tips to think creatively

Smashed transport windows

Children and functional fixedness

  • Change your space
  • Brainstorm, meditation
  • Re-conceptualize the problem
  • Consider the worst case scenario
  • Escape your comfort zone
  • Learn new things
  • Learn to listen
  • Study another industry

Thank you for your attention!

  • 5-year-old children show no signs of functional fixedness
  • Children are not limited by imagination or function
  • By age 7, children have acquired the tendency to treat the originally intended purpose of an object as special

Functional fixedness

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