Cognitive Abilities Test (CAT4) Practice Exam

Functional fixedness is a cognitive phenomenon that restricts a person's ability to think of an object in terms of its typical functions and can hinder problem-solving. In Holly's case, her difficulty in finding a ladle suggests that she may have been unable to consider alternative uses or new ways of finding it, as she was likely fixated on its usual location or standard use. This tendency to overlook other possibilities can lead to challenges in recognizing solutions or items that could assist in completing a task. Thus, if Holly was searching for a ladle but was unable to see it or think of it in a different context, it exemplifies the limitations imposed by functional fixedness.