Mental set: a type of fixation in which want to re-use methods or solutions that have worked before; relying on past success instead of finding new solutions. Example: If someone has always been able to get an A on a test by cramming the night before, that person might experience this mental set in college, finding themselves confused when their past method doesn't work on a college exam. They'll have to overcome this and find a new method of studying, instead of relying on their past success.
Functional fixedness: perceiving the function of objects as fixed and unchanging; not being able to imagine different, creative ways to use things, especially if they were only made for a certain task. Example: Not being able to see a cardboard moving box as anything other than a box to store items. Instead, a person could have taken a bunch of cardboard boxes and made a hideout (complete with tunnels and rooms).
3. Explain the relationship between functional fixedness and problem solving. Provide an example that illustrates the relationship (this should be no more than 2 sentences).
-Functional fixedness inhibits and limits problem solving. For example, a person who is being mugged as they go to their car could limit their problem solving abilities by failing to see that their car key could also be used as a weapon, and not just a tool to open their car door.
I miss making cardboard castles :( We should do it in class....you know what ...your example actually gave me a really awesome idea for an activity... thank you :)
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