Illustration of Functional Fixedness in Problem-Solving

In cognitive psychology, the methods used to tackle complex problems can vary significantly. One particular phenomenon that educators often discuss is functional fixedness. This cognitive bias limits a person's ability to use an object only in the way that it is traditionally used. For instance, this can influence problem-solving outcomes in everyday situations and in more structured problem-solving tasks. Which of the following examples best illustrates the concept of functional fixedness?