AP Psychology Practice Test

Which term describes an impediment to problem-solving due to a usual way of thinking?

1. Fixation

2. Functional fixedness

3. Framing

4. Representativeness heuristic

The correct answer is: Functional fixedness

The correct term that describes an impediment to problem-solving due to a usual way of thinking is functional fixedness. This concept refers to the cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used. For example, if someone sees a hammer and only thinks of it as a tool to drive nails, they might overlook other creative uses, such as using it to hold a door open. This limitation can prevent individuals from finding innovative solutions to problems, as they fail to see alternative uses or approaches. Functional fixedness emphasizes how prior experiences and learned associations can confine our thinking processes and impede our ability to reevaluate familiar objects or situations in new ways. Other potential answers relate to aspects of cognitive processing but do not specifically embody the same concept of fixed perceptions related to object use or problem-solving strategies influenced by established thinking patterns. This distinction is what makes functional fixedness the most accurate choice in this context.