Title: Functional Fixedness - Biases & Heuristics | The Decision Lab
Headings: 
Why do we have trouble thinking outside the box?
Functional Fixedness
What is Functional Fixedness?
Where this bias occurs
Individual effects
Systemic effects
Why it happens
Age
Experience
Why it is important
How to avoid it
Abstract the Problem
Draw Inspiration from Unexpected Places
Opinions from Different Disciplines
How it all started
Example 1 - PepsiCo leverages orthopedic experts
Example 2 - Creatively designing power strips
Summary
What it is
Why it happens
Example 1 – PepsiCo leverages orthopedic experts
Example 2 – Creatively designing power strips
How to avoid it

Content: By consciously working to think innovatively, and better tackle problems in their professional and personal lives, they can strive towards unique and innovative solutions. How to avoid it
As with many cognitive biases, functional fixedness can appear when tackling challenges in many different areas of life. Avoiding functional fixedness requires a conscious effort on the individual’s part towards promoting innovative ways of thinking and problem-solving. Abstract the Problem
The first step to overcoming functional fixedness is done by first developing an awareness of the problem and simplifying it. A practice referred to as “uncommitting,” describes simplifying a challenge and distilling it down to the problem’s essential elements. By eliminating the details of the problem, we allow ourselves to think more creatively about the solution. By focusing on identifying the problem, and not judging ideas too early in the problem-solving process, alternative perspectives and possible solutions can be identified. 3
Draw Inspiration from Unexpected Places
Researchers have found that when people look for inspiration from distant domains, they tend to generate more creative solutions to their problems, especially in comparison to those who draw inspiration from more closely related fields. 3 Solutions from the abstract and distantly-related industries provide novel fixes, which tend to deliver creative and successful solutions. Opinions from Different Disciplines
Like drawing inspiration from different disciplines, reaching out to experts in various fields also serves as a solution to avoiding functional fixedness and better-solving problems within one’s domain.