Trevor did not think to use the plastic bag he was carrying as a raincoat when he was caught in a downpour, BEST illustrating _____.

Question

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Trevor's failure to think creatively and consider unconventional uses for the plastic bag he was carrying demonstrates functional fixedness, which refers to the tendency to think of objects only in terms of their traditional uses or functions. He did not consider that the bag could be used to protect himself from the rain because he was fixated on its usual purpose as a container for goods. The availability heuristic refers to the tendency to rely on readily available information rather than more accurate or complete information, and it does not seem relevant to this situation. Similarly, fixation and mental set both refer to the tendency to approach problems in a rigid or inflexible manner, which is related to functional fixedness but not quite the same thing.

Trevor Did Not Think to Use the Plastic Bag He