Which term best describes the tendency to focus solely on familiar functions when solving problems?

The term that best describes the tendency to focus solely on familiar functions when solving problems is functional fixedness. This cognitive bias can inhibit creativity and problem-solving because individuals become so accustomed to thinking of an object or concept in a certain way that they struggle to see alternate uses or perspectives. This restriction often leads to challenges in finding innovative solutions, as individuals may overlook simple or unconventional strategies that contrast with their established understanding.

The other terms refer to different cognitive phenomena. The anchoring heuristic involves relying on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions, which can lead to biased judgments. Convergent thinking is a thought process that focuses on finding a single, correct solution to a problem, as opposed to exploring multiple possibilities. The availability heuristic pertains to estimating the likelihood of events based on their availability in memory, often influenced by recent exposure or vivid examples rather than objective probability. Each of these concepts captures distinct aspects of human cognition, but functional fixedness most accurately represents the limitation imposed by sticking to familiar uses or functions when addressing a problem.