The Einstellung effect is first and foremost a cognitive trap in which we all fall frequently, this happens, for example, when we try to solve a problem and, when we analyze it in depth and carefully, we assume that this challenge has no solution. We believe this because our brains reason uncompromisingly and are unable to adopt new perspectives.
To better understand this, simply ask a very common fact: imagine a specialist in a certain field trying to solve a sudden challenge, analyze the question, take several turns and examine it from various angles.
- Now.
- At some point.
- A person?From the outside?arrives.
- Observes the circumstances and suddenly offers a magnificent solution.
- One that he had not even considered.
- What happened?.
What happens in such situations is that we sometimes manifest what is called “hyperspecialization” knowledge. That is, we have mastered a number of approaches, themes and patterns of knowledge without leaving room for other possibilities, without even questioning or exploring new perspectives through lateral reflection.
There is also one fact that we must be clear: the Einstellung effect does not define a personality type, it is a kind of mental strategy. It is essentially a way to make our brain work, where it always tends to give the same kind of answers and solutions, it is very difficult to innovate, to be original and it is certainly a big problem.
The term Einstellung comes from German and results from the union of two terms: adjustment and attitude, defines the situations in which we adapt to the best known solutions that prevent other alternatives.
If I have my own problem-solving strategies, why waste time trying other approaches?This phrase sums up very well the mental shortcut with which we handle many of our problems very well.
In a way, we do it because human beings incorporate many preconceived ideas, with which we work on a day-to-day life, those that save us time and give us a sense of efficiency.
However, sometimes something happens. Things happen that put us to the test to demonstrate something very concrete: our previous knowledge often prevents us from applying more creative and original approaches. This comes down to the classic idea that “better known is better than good knowledge”, while demonstrating something very impressive: our brains work by habits.
You will always give more value to what is stored in our experience than to the opportunity to improvise, to try other things, so will you always send the message more and more? Has it always been done like this? That “let’s try to see what happens”.
The Einstellung effect was first described in 1942 by Dr. Abraham Luchins and showed something that can draw our attention: are the best specialists in a field sometimes using less creative and innovative thinking?How can we?
When you have more experience with something, it’s harder to question yourself. We settle for a very rigid cognitive pattern to build on our experiences.
This sometimes causes the presence of a “non-specialist” in this area of knowledge to be able to bring new and original ideas, adding a sudden value to our perspectives.
Something curious, but common
We have all heard of lateral thinking, flexible thinking, the value of creativity and the need to innovate, we know that it is necessary to use and express these dimensions, that applying them to our work, our way of life and our reflection would be very important. improve the well-being and even progress of our society.
However, there is one thing we must admit: these changes are not always appreciated. In most workplaces, it’s most common to “do what we always do because it works. “This explains why the Einstellung effect is the constant that forces us to react to different problems with the usual solutions, thus preventing any progress.
What can we do? In fact, we could make several changes, starting with ourselves is essential to encourage others, to create a more innovative, flexible and open reality, those would be key to thinking.
In conclusion, using a more open, flexible and original lateral approach takes time, we need to re-edit our brains, invite it to stop clinging so much to preconceived ideas to get closer to the new and thus keep learning, keep growing.