Introducing functional fixedness

What is Functional Fixedness and how is it linked to Creativity? This presentation explores this concept and examines its relationship to play and creativity.

1. Introducing imagination, association, functional fixedness

2. Contents of Presentation Objective of lecture Definition of Functional fixedness Functional Fixedness of adults Saucepan seeing beyond the assigned function MacGyver – Solving problems Street Art & Imagination Memory and Association

3. Contents ( con’t ) Association and Problem solving TASK : Association Association words from task TASK: Matches TASK : Chair Children and Functionally Fixed Check Learning Recommendations

4. Objective of lecture To understand Functional fixedness To understand how Functional fixedness limits creativity To use ‘Street Art’ to demonstrate how artists are not functionally fixed To demonstrate how imagination is limited when one is functionally fixed

5. Definition of Functional Fixedness According to Karl Duncker (1945) functional fixedness is the ‘mental block against using an object in a new way that is required to solve a problem’ ( Duncker 1945:i).

6. Quiz Functional fixedness is A mental block against using an object in a new way that is required to solve a problem Functional fixedness is A physical block against using an object in an old way that is required to solve a problem Correct? Correct?

7. Functional fixedness in Adults Developing creativity in adults often involves challenging the ‘functional fixedness’ of objects and allowing the freedom to play, experiment and discover (LLC Books 2010 ). Functional fixedness stunt good problem solving skills

8. Saucepan -seeing beyond the assigned function

9. MacGyver – Solving problems MacGyver Pirates Escape From Water

10. Street Art & Imagination Imagination is the formation of a mental image of something that is neither perceived as real nor present to the senses - Seeing an image in one’s mind Creative street art Using imagination New ways to see objects and the world

11. A pole becomes a nose

12. A road grate becomes a rib cage

13. Drains become legs

14. Timber becomes pencils

15. Stone cobbles become a keyboard

16. A missing brick exposes gold

17. Little people live in the blocks

18. The drain becomes mouth with a cigarette

19. A bush becomes hair

20. Steps becomes a miniature world

21. A few loose bricks become loose teeth

22. Quiz Imagination is The disintegration of mental images. It is something that is perceived as real nor present to the senses – not being able to see an image in one’s mind Imagination is T he formation of a mental image of something that is neither perceived as real nor present to the senses - Seeing an image in one’s mind Correct? Correct?

23. Correct

24. Wrong

25. Memory and Association Memory seems to operate as a chain of associations: concepts, words and ideas are interlinked, so that stimuli such as a person’s face will call up the associated name

26. Creativity can be limited when associations are not made conscious and challenged Conscious ‘associations ’ can improve problem solving skills Associations are necessary if we are to build knowledge of an object

27. Association and P roblem solving Steel wire for fishing: Associated words : ‘strong’ , ‘flexible’, ‘sewing’ Problem solving: used to sew outside equipment because its strong flexible and can be used in a needle.

28. TASK: Association A box of matches: In small groups list association words….

29. Association words from task As children we are told not to play with matches Only used for to light a fire Dangerous Strong associations Making the associations conscious. Park the associations now and try and think about the object differently

30. TASK: Matches Using a box of matches In groups how many uses can you come up with for a box of matches

31. In order to play with possible uses we must first break the functional fixedness of the object

32. TASK: Chair In Groups list a number of uses for a Chair? Think about the different senses and how they could be explored; Hearing, Taste, Touch, sight, smell? Actions; games and uses? Children play with Chairs

33. Children and Functionally Fixed Children grow into functional fixedness Children as they grow learn narrow and limited functions to objects Children are not limited by imagination or function

34. Check learning In pairs: Discuss the main points of the lecture Merge into small groups Discuss the points from the pairs Nominate one speaker Feedback to the large group through the tutor

35. Quiz Which answer is correct? Children become functionally fixed Children are functionally fixed Correct? Correct?

36. Wrong

37. Right

38. Recommendations Move to ‘What if’ thinking Embrace the absurd ‘Play’ with objects Challenge associations and function See the world differently

39. END