scholarly journals Using a Fork as a Hairbrush: Investigating Dual Routes to Release from Functional Fixedness

Author(s):  
Dawn R. Weatherford ◽  
Lemira V. Esparza ◽  
Laura J. Tedder ◽  
Olivia K. H. Smith
Keyword(s):  
1984 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 11-24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel Arnon ◽  
Shulamith Kreitler
Keyword(s):  

1966 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 851-858 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barry Anderson ◽  
William Johnson

A number of findings suggest that there are important differences between functional fixedness (FF) and Einstellung (E), though the significance of these findings seems to have gone unrecognized. The results of the present study suggest that FF and E (a) display different forgetting curves ( p < .001) and (b) respond differently to distribution of practice ( p < .05). Interpretations of the results are discussed.


1968 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 391-394
Author(s):  
Leroy H. Pelton ◽  
Nicholas J. Esposito

Flavell, Cooper, and Loiselle (1958) found that functional fixedness (FF) varied inversely with the number of varied pre-problem experiences with an object. Although the decrease in FF was attributed to the increase in the number of experienced functions, task varied simultaneously with function. The present study attempted to separate these two factors by varying task only. It was hypothesized that such variation would increase FF, as measured by number of solutions and solution latency time, above that found when both task and function remain constant in the pre-problem experience. This hypothesis was not supported.


Author(s):  
A.-M. Olteţeanu ◽  
L. H. Shu

Functional fixedness refers to a cognitive bias that prevents people from using objects in new ways, and more abstractly, perceiving problems in new ways. Supporting people in overcoming functional fixedness could improve creative problem solving and capacities for creative design. A study was conducted to detect whether a relationship exists between participants’ tendency to reorient objects presented as stimuli in an Alternative Uses Test and their creativity, also measured using the Wallach Kogan pattern meanings test. The Alternative Uses Test measures creativity as a function of identifying alternative uses for traditional objects. The Wallach Kogan pattern-meanings test detects the ability to see an abstract pattern as different possible objects or scenes. Also studied is whether Kruglanski’s Need for Closure scale, a psychological measure, can predict the ability to incorporate reorientation cues when identifying uses. This study revealed highly significant, high correlations between reorientation and several creativity measures, and a correlation between reorientation and the predictability subscale of the Need for Closure scale. A qualitative exploration of participants’ responses reveals further metrics that may be relevant to assessing creativity in the Alternative Uses Test.


2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (2) ◽  
pp. 223-228
Author(s):  
Thomas J. Davis ◽  
Harlan M. Fichtenholtz

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