Three Experiments on Functional Fixedness

Abstract

Six objects were ranked (by use) for suitability as a hammer. Two objects with high rankings were used in a functional fixedness experiment, each in turn being the fixed object. Two objects of medium rank were so used in another experiment; and one high and one medium were used in a third. A control condition in each experiment determined, again, the suitability of each object for use as a hammer. In two experiments one object was so highly preferred that it was impossible to produce functional fixedness. In the third experiment the results showed positive rather than negative transfer. Remarks are made on the design of experiments in functional fixedness.