A clever German Gestalt psychologist, Karl Duncker, coined “functional fixedness.” This term describes the common issue we encounter when perceiving things or solving problems. Where we get stuck in seeing an element of the situation with a fixed function that needs to be changed. It is here, my friend, that the concept of thinking outside the box is formed is born.
Duncker came up with the candle task to showcase this concept. Here, participants were tasked to fix a lighted candle onto a wall. But without letting the wax drip onto the table below. Armed with just a candle, a book of matches, and a box of board pins, it was a tricky challenge indeed.
So, do you have what it takes to light that candle without making a mess? How domain-dependent are you?
Find out what domain dependence is, who risks falling prey to this cognitive bias, how it can be used against you, and how to guard yourself against it.
Understanding the “Domain Dependence”
Domain dependence is the limitation of our ability to effectively transfer knowledge and skills from one domain to another. This concept applies specifically to the different categories or activities you or I participate in. Such as working with a particular technology, studying in a specific field, or understanding how certain ideas are related.
Familiar with our friend Nasim Taleb? He, too, has an interesting theory about the limitations of our minds. He argues that sometimes we can understand an idea perfectly well in one setting but might completely miss it when it appears in a different context. It is like we are wearing specialized glasses that only allow us to see certain things, and we’re unaware of everything else.
Taleb illustrates this point by telling the story of a businessman who goes to the gym to work out. But pays the porter at his hotel to carry his luggage upstairs! The problem here is that the businessman is unable to recognize that the two actions are essentially the same thing! i.e., lifting weights and carrying a suitcase requires the same muscles and movements! It’s a common blind spot we all have, preventing us from seeing the world as it really is. Don’t you all think so?
As we go through life, we develop preconceived notions, beliefs, and biases that shape how we perceive and interact with the world. Our minds were open to curiosity and learning in our early years, devoid of prejudice or constraints. However, as we grow older and accumulate experiences, we tend to rely on what we already know rather than challenging our own ideas.
This tendency can lead to domain dependence, where our preconceptions or learned habits restrict our ability to think creatively. Instead of allowing ourselves to fall into a stagnant routine, it is crucial to maintain a sense of curiosity and explore alternative approaches to achieving our desired outcomes. By embracing a mindset of continual exploration, we can break free from the limitations imposed by our biases and open ourselves up to new possibilities.
Exploited And Exploiters
The typical victims of domain dependence are those who rely too heavily on past experiences or knowledge when making decisions. This can lead to people becoming overly comfortable with what they already know and ignoring relevant new evidence or other perspectives.
As a result, they may make poor decisions that could have long-term repercussions. Meanwhile, those taking advantage of domain dependence are often the ones looking to benefit from somebody else’s ignorance – think shady salespeople, scam artists, and other unethical operators.
Day-TO-Day Domain Dependence
- Limited experience with a specific technology or programming language can lead to domain dependence when attempting tasks related to it.
- Educators may exhibit domain dependence if they only use one approach to teaching instead of exploring and experimenting with different ideas.
- Businesses can suffer from domain dependence if they rely on their past strategies without adapting to changes in the market or economy.
- Scientists may be limited in their findings due to relying solely on existing research instead of exploring new theories or hypotheses.
- Writers may display domain dependence when regularly using the same techniques instead of trying something new and challenging themselves creatively.
Recognizing When You Are Slipping Into The “Domain Dependence” Trap
To recognize when you’re trapped in the “Domain Dependence” mindset. It is crucial to evaluate and scrutinize your decisions regularly. If your choices consistently stem from the same assumptions you’ve relied on before, it’s worth exploring alternative approaches that may offer greater effectiveness or efficiency.
Moreover, staying updated on current trends and industry advancements can provide valuable insights into when adjustments to your approach are necessary.
Overcoming The “Domain Dependence”
Recognizing when we are in “Domain Dependence” is a crucial first step to escaping it.
- Reframe our perspectives: It is important to question and reframe our assumptions objectively.
- Seek the evidence: Find data contradicting your biases to gain a more balanced view of different domains.
- Reevaluate beliefs: Revisit our beliefs and values that we may have adopted mindlessly due to “Domain Dependence”.
- Educate yourself: Increase awareness by learning more about cognitive biases and how they shape our perspective on reality.
- Develop trust networks: Build meaningful relationships with people from other domains who can offer new perspectives and help us escape cognitive traps like “Domain Dependence.”
Final Thoughts
The candle problem has been used in hundreds of experiments conducted by psychologists to research human behavior. Seven out of every ten participants can find a solution in this experiment.
So, what was your solution? Did you think of attaching the candle to the wall directly or using the wax from the candle to do so? Well, sorry to say, these solutions do not work!
Most people typically need outside help to see an alternative solution. Why don’t people come up with an idea to use a box as part of the solution to the Candle Problem? The answer to this is functional fixedness!
Here, people need help using objects in novel ways and cannot think beyond what is obvious. This is why they try direct methods such as attaching the candle directly to the wall or attempting to use wax from the candle, which is unsuccessful.
To solve this problem, one must think outside the box! So what must one do?
Just take the pins out of the box and pin the box to the wall, then place a candle in it so that the wax does not fall out. My dear friends, this is an example of an ineffective solution many don’t consider.
Finally
Those who rise above this domain dependence bias can find solutions to difficult problems and discover revolutionary discoveries in various areas. Keeping an open mind, challenging preconceptions, and pursuing curiosity are essential to ensure creativity and progress.
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Reference
The above article is based on the book Thinking Clearly; this article is here to help us learn and understand how our minds can be tricked by something called cognitive biases.