Answer :
The correct option is 1) Using a screwdriver instead of a hammer. Functional fixedness prevents individuals from seeing objects beyond their traditional uses, as shown in Duncker's candle-tack-box experiment. It can pose a barrier to solving problems but can be overcome by creative thinking. Using a drill as a substitute for a hammer to prop open a door would most likely reduce the chances of success due to its inappropriate shape and lack of sturdiness compared to other tools.
Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used. The concept was introduced by Karl Duncker, who demonstrated it through the candle-tack-box experiment where participants struggled to see the box as anything other than a container for thumbtacks, rather than a potential candle holder. Overcoming functional fixedness can help in problem-solving by allowing individuals to think outside the box and consider alternative uses for objects.
In the scenario provided, the success of using a tool to prop open a door would likely be reduced most by option 4) Using a drill instead of a hammer. Screwdrivers, wrenches, and crowbars can more easily substitute for a hammer in this context because they can fit into gaps or maintain a door open due to their shape and sturdiness, whereas a drill may lack the necessary shape or strength to effectively prop a door open.
