Functional fixedness is a mental block that can really get in the way of creative thinking. It stops us from seeing other ways we can use objects or ideas. This bias makes it hard to solve problems because we get too focused on how things are usually used.

How Functional Fixedness Affects Us:

1. Limiting Our Thinking:

   • Sometimes, people miss out on great solutions just because they can’t imagine using something in a different way. For example, if someone uses a coin as a makeshift screwdriver, it shows that thinking differently can help us find practical answers.

2. Resisting New Ideas:

   • When we get stuck in one way of thinking, we might not want to try new ideas or methods. This can really hold back creativity. For instance, a software developer might stick to old coding techniques instead of looking at new technologies.

In short, getting beyond functional fixedness is very important. It helps us think more creatively and come up with new ideas.