Why do our past experiences prevent us from reaching the best possible outcome?

The 

Einstellung Effect

, explained.
Bias

What is the Einstellung Effect?

The Einstellung effect describes when we approach a problem with a mindset that worked for us in the past, even if a more efficient solution exists.1 This hinders one’s ability to enhance their creativity and problem-solving skills as they don’t consider other perspectives or options.

“Einstellung” is a German word that translates to “attitude” or “setting.”  The term captures the idea that existing attitudes can become a hindrance when trying to find innovative or alternative solutions to a problem.

Sources

  1. Interaction Design Foundation - IxDF. (2021, October 27). What is Einstellung Effect?. Interaction Design Foundation - IxDF.https://www.interaction-design.org/literature/topics/einstellung-effect
  2. Productivity Guy (2020, November 21). What is Einstellung Effect | Explained in 2 min [Video]. Youtube. https://youtu.be/JMHeXvgTCbo?si=jkytBvnrugpEvmsg
  3. Mike Sturn (2020, Febrary 24). The Einstellung Effect and Functional Fixedness: Two Dangerous Cognitive Biases and How to Overcome Them. Medium - https://medium.com/mind-cafe/the-einstellung-effect-and-functional-fixedness-two-dangerous-cognitive-biases-and-how-to-31e79e92d1e7
  4. Bilalić, M. et al. (2008). Inflexibility of expert-Reality or myth? Quantifying the Einstellung effect in chess masters. Cognitive Psychology, 56(2), 73-102. 
  5. Barlach L. & Plonski G.A. (2021, March 11). The Einstellung effect, mental rigidity and decision-making in startup accelerators. Emerald - https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/INMR-06-2020-0079/full/html
  6. Frings, D. (2011). The Effects of Group Monitoring on Fatigue-Related Einstellung During
  7. Mathematical Problem Solving. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied, Vol. 17, No. 4, 371–381.
  8. Kaplan, A. (1964). The Age of the Symbol: A Philosophy of Library Education. The Library Quarterly: Information, Community, Policy, 34(4), 295–304. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4305496

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