Which term describes the inability to see a problem from a new perspective?

The term that most accurately describes the inability to see a problem from a new perspective is fixation. This concept refers to a mental block that hinders an individual's ability to think creatively or find alternative solutions to a problem. When someone is fixated, their thoughts may circle around familiar concepts or traditional ways of problem-solving, preventing them from considering other possibilities or innovative approaches.

In the context of problem-solving, fixation can be a significant barrier, as it locks an individual into a narrow viewpoint that can lead to missed opportunities for effective solutions. This term captures the essence of being stuck in a particular way of thinking, which aligns with the idea of being unable to shift perspectives.

Other terms, such as the framing effect, functional fixedness, and convergent thinking, relate to different cognitive biases or thinking styles but do not specifically denote the inability to adopt new perspectives in problem-solving as effectively as fixation does. For example, the framing effect pertains to how the presentation of information influences decision-making, while functional fixedness refers to a specific type of fixation where an object is viewed only in its traditional use, which can obscure the recognition of new uses. Convergent thinking focuses on finding a single best solution to a problem rather than multiple perspectives.