AP Psychology Practice Test 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person’s ability to think about objects in new ways. It occurs when a person sees an object only in terms of its traditional or most common use, which hinders creativity and problem-solving. This bias leads individuals to overlook other possible uses or functions for that object.

Both aspects mentioned in the correct answer touch on this concept. Viewing objects only in terms of their usage restricts creativity and diminishes the potential for finding innovative solutions, while overlooking novel uses for objects means that one fails to recognize alternative applications that could be beneficial in a particular context. Therefore, describing functional fixedness encompasses both the restriction of viewing objects solely in terms of their conventional use and the concurrent tendency to overlook creative alternatives. This understanding is fundamental in psychology, especially when discussing problem-solving and creativity, as it illustrates how rigid thinking can obstruct innovative thought processes.