Cognitive Barriers to Creative Thinking in Business - Understanding Key Challenges
Introduction:
- Cognitive barriers restrict creative thinking, hindering problem-solving and innovation.
- Recognizing these barriers helps in overcoming them to enhance creativity.
The Titanic Tragedy: A Historical Example
- April 14, 1912: Titanic struck an iceberg and sank in 2 hours 40 minutes.
- The iceberg was huge, rising high above water, extending 400 feet in length.
- Survival rate: Out of 2200 people on board, only 705 survived.
- 60 years prior, 127 out of 176 Irish emigrants survived a similar situation by using a floating ice sheet in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
Barrier 1: Functional Fixedness
- Definition: The tendency to see objects only for their intended purpose.
- Example: An iceberg is seen only as a hazard, not a potential platform.
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Cause: We ignore unimportant features of objects, limiting thinking.
- Example: A candle, box of thumbtacks, or box of matches are seen only in their typical uses.
Solution: Encourage thinking about objects in new and unconventional ways.
Barrier 2: Design Fixation
- Definition: Tendency to focus on current design features when asked to create new ones.
- Example: If asked to redesign a resealable pouch for candy, one may focus too much on the original design.
- Cause: Inability to detach from the existing design.
Solution: Think beyond the current design limitations and explore completely new ideas.
Barrier 3: Goal Fixedness
- Definition: A fixed mindset about how goals are framed can narrow creative thinking.
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Example: If the goal is to "adhere something to a garbage can," the focus is limited.
- A broader goal like "fasten something to the can" opens up more creative solutions.
Solution: Reframe goals in broader, more flexible terms to spark creativity.
Conclusion:
- Understanding these cognitive barriers helps break free from conventional thinking patterns.
- Embrace broader thinking and new perspectives to enhance creative problem-solving in business.
