Question

Psychology

Some people are unable to arrange six matchsticks to form four equilateral triangles because they fail to consider a three-dimensional solution. This best illustrates the effects of:

a) Functional fixedness
b) Confirmation bias
c) Anchoring and adjustment
d) Availability heuristic

Answer 1

A) Functional fixedness, illustrates the inability to see an object's potential uses beyond its typical function,

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct answer is option A) Functional fixedness. This concept refers to the mental block against using an object in a new way that is required to solve a problem.

Functional fixedness is seen when people are unable to conceptualize a problem from a new angle; for example, not being able to form four equilateral triangles from six matchsticks by not considering a three-dimensional arrangement.

This mental barrier often prevents people from seeing the full range of possible solutions to a problem because they are fixed in their perceptions of the functionality of objects.

Two common examples that demonstrate functional fixedness are Duncker's candle problem, requiring individuals to attach a candle to a wall using unconventional methods and NASA's Apollo 13 crisis, where engineers had to invent a makeshift air filter with available spacecraft materials.