Question

On a fishing trip, Ed realizes that he has mistakenly packed the sewing box instead of the tackle box. He wants to fish but returns home because he does not have any line or hooks. Ed's failure to realize that sewing thread can be used as fishing line and that a bent needle can be used as a hook is an example of _______.

Answer 1

The answer is functional fixedness.

Step-by-step explanation:

Functional fixedness refers to the inability to use an object in a different way than usual. For example, if a person is looking for a pair of scissors to cut paper, he might not realise he can also use a utility knife or even a ruler.

Studies have shown that very young children do not present functional fixednesss. Instead, it appears around age seven, when children learn to use objects "properly".