Overcoming Functional Fixedness: Comparing the Effectiveness of Meaning Training and Unconventional Demonstrative Learning

Abstract

Functional fixedness is a widespread and pervasive cognitive bias that prevents individuals from using an object in a method other than its conventional function and in so doing, inhibits creative problem-solving capacity. Meaning training has been established as an effective approach to overcoming functional fixedness. This study introduces and investigates the unconventional demonstrative learning method, a novel approach to overcoming functional fixedness based on social learning principles. The study compares the effectiveness of unconventional demonstrative learning to that of meaning training in reducing functional fixedness in participants.