Functional fixedness

In everyday life

Without a hammer, someone gives up on hanging a picture and never thinks to tap the nail in with the heel of a sturdy shoe.

Your phone slips behind the couch, and you strain to reach it by hand for ten minutes until a friend fishes it out with a wooden spoon from the kitchen drawer.

Why your mind does this

We rarely have full information about a person or situation, so the brain fills gaps with what usually holds true for similar cases. Relying on categories, rules of thumb and trusted sources saves a huge amount of time and effort. For most of history, following the group and trusting experienced elders was a safe bet.

Its family, in 30 seconds: Stereotypes

How to spot it

Ask what else the objects or tools around you could do if you ignored their labels.

How to counter it

Describe each item by its physical features, such as 'flat, stiff, long', instead of its name, to reveal new uses.