Functional fixedness as related to problem solving: a repetition of three experiments.

Abstract

Three of Duncker''s expts. on functional fixedness were repeated in this study. 57 subjects were used, 29 serving as the exptl. and 28 as the control group. Both groups were given the "box," "gimlet," and "paperclip" problems in that order. Exptl. Ss were given each problem after first having used the solution objects for that problem in a function dissimilar to that demanded for solution. Control Ss were given the problem without such pre-utilization. In terms of time-to-solution, the performance of the control group was superior to that of the exptl. group, the differences being highly significant for all 3 problems. Duncker''s results were confirmed in a study using a large "n" and having more carefully specified exptl. conditions.