The tendency to think of using object only as they have been used in the past is called functional fixedness. Functional fixedness arises when people have a fixed idea of the function of an object, and is unable to see that it may have other uses which would enable them to solve the problem. People tend to see object only in terms of their customary functions. Normal functions of objects become fixed in an individual’s thought, so that he/she does not consider using them in new and creative ways.
Mental set is the tendency to apply a familiar strategy to the solution of a problem without carefully considering special requirements of that problem. A mental set can be either facilitating or inhibiting, depending upon what response the problem requires. Mental set might be determined by personality and attitudinal factors, and not by intellectual and critical thinking abilities. E.g. a child may enter a store by pushing a door open. After this, each time when the child comes to a door expecting it to open by pushing even though may doors only open by pulling. This is due to the mental set for opening the doors.
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