You have a pair of pliers and a bag of nuts in the shell. You are lamenting the fact that you can't shell the nuts because you do not have a nutcracker. Which of the following problems is demonstrated by your inability to perceive the pliers as a makeshift nutcracker?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Functional fixedness refers to the inability to see an object as useful for a different function than its intended function. In this scenario, the individual is fixated on the pliers as a tool for gripping and manipulating objects, rather than considering the possibility of using them as a nutcracker.

You Have a Pair of Pliers and a Bag of Nuts