Experimental Separation of Function and Task in Functional Fixedness Problems

Abstract

Flavell, Cooper, and Loiselle (1958) found that functional fixedness (FF) varied inversely with the number of varied pre-problem experiences with an object. Although the decrease in FF was attributed to the increase in the number of experienced functions, task varied simultaneously with function. The present study attempted to separate these two factors by varying task only. It was hypothesized that such variation would increase FF, as measured by number of solutions and solution latency time, above that found when both task and function remain constant in the pre-problem experience. This hypothesis was not supported.