Final answer:
True, habits can be a barrier to problem solving because they can lead to a mental set or functional fixedness, where a person relies on past solutions or uses objects only in their traditional ways, which hinders innovation.
Step-by-step explanation:
True, habits can indeed be a barrier to problem solving. A habit, by definition, is a repeated behavior that often occurs subconsciously. When faced with a new problem, an individual might rely on old patterns of thinking or behavior that have been successful in the past. This phenomenon is known as a mental set, where people persist in using strategies that have worked for them previously, even when they are no longer effective. An example of this is trying to exit a room through a familiar doorway that is now locked, ignoring other open doorways—this is a habitual response.
Furthermore, research in cognitive psychology shows that problem solving can also be impeded by functional fixedness, a cognitive bias that limits a person's ability to use an object only in the way it is traditionally used—this too relates to habitual thinking. Such biases are part of our cognitive habits that can stifle innovative solutions. In a rapidly changing world, it is essential to develop good habits of mind and to be aware of these cognitive biases so as to approach problems from multiple perspectives.
As for other assertions, it is indeed true that experiments can lead to cause-and-effect claims but have their own limitations, and it is also true that majority rule can fail to produce a single preferred outcome in situations with more than two options. These nuances in reasoning and decision-making further illustrate the complexity of overcoming mental habits that may impede effective problem solving.