The Attitude Effect – To Think Differently

The Einstellung effect is a cognitive trap most people often fall into. It occurs, for example, when you try to solve a problem. After analyzing it deeply and carefully, you decide that it has no solution. You think that way because your reasoning is inflexible.  Thus, you cannot see things from other perspectives.

To understand it better, it is usually enough to remember a fairly common fact. Imagine an “expert” trying to solve a problem. They analyze a question and observe it from a thousand different angles. Then an outsider comes in, observes the circumstances and suddenly comes up with a super solution, one that the “expert” did not even consider.

What happened? This type of situation sometimes manifests itself as hyperspecialization of knowledge. In other words, people master a series of approaches, subjects and knowledge schemes without allowing for other possibilities nor questioning or exploring new perspectives through lateral thinking.

There is another fact you need to consider. The Einstellung effect does not define a specific personality type. It is a mental strategy that refers to when your brain has the same answers and solutions. Thus, it is very difficult for you to be innovative and original. Therefore, it is definitely a big problem.

The word einstellung is German and comes from two words meaning “adjustment” and “attitude”. It defines situations where we adapt to the most well-known solutions while ignoring other alternatives.

The Einstellung effect, or the cognitive shortcut that blocks your thoughts

Why waste time trying other approaches when you already have your own problem-solving strategies? This sentence summarizes the mental shortcuts people face many of their problems with. We like to do this because we have many preconceived ideas. In fact, you “work” with them on a daily basis. Mainly the ones that save you time and give you a sense of efficiency.

Prior knowledge often hinders the ability to use more creative and original approaches. It is the classic idea of ​​”Better the devil you know than the devil you do not know”. What this mainly demonstrates is that humans are addicted animals.

We will always value our own repertoire of experiences rather than the opportunity to improvise and try new things. Therefore, most of us are much more comfortable with “it has always been done that way” than “let’s see what happens”.

According to the einstellung effect, experts are less creative

The Einstellung effect was first described by Dr. Abraham Luchins in 1942. He revealed something that caught everyone’s attention: “Experts” are sometimes the least creative and innovative people. But why can it be like that?

When a person has a lot of experience with something, they are less likely to ask questions of themselves. They remain in a kind of rigid cognitive system and rely on their experiences. This is why the presence of a “non-expert” in a field of knowledge can actually provide fresh and original ideas. They add new values ​​to old perspectives.

Start with yourself and develop more flexible thinking

Who has not heard of lateral thinking. Retaining a flexible mind and the value of creativity along with the need for innovation? Everyone knows that they must take advantage of and express these dimensions. Applying them to work, lifestyle and thinking will promote the well-being and progress of society.

However, change is not always appreciated. The status quo and “let’s do it as usual because it works” prevail in most work environments. This explains why the einstellung effect forces you to approach problems with the usual solutions, thus stopping any progress.

So what can you do? You can actually change many things. Start with yourself and encourage others to come up with a more innovative, flexible and open solution. These are just some key concepts to reflect on.

How to reduce this effect

• When trying to solve a problem, do not use the first ideas that come to mind. Expand your focus instead.
• Cultivate your knowledge and expand it. You may be an expert in some areas, but relying on the knowledge of others will help you explore a broader horizon and see things from different perspectives. It will also help you to relativize.
• Control your mind reactions and refuse to conform. It is very common to say things like “I know this well” or “Why should I try it any other way if I know this works?” This type of thinking leads to the einstellung effect. Stay away from these thoughts.
• Dare to learn things you think you know and learn from other perspectives and approaches.

• Listen to those around you, pay attention to other perspectives and encourage yourself to improvise and train the creative muscles of the mind.

To conclude, it takes time to adopt a more open, flexible and original new way of thinking. You need to re-educate your brain. Thus, you need to stop sticking to preconceived notions. Train yourself to approach things in a new way and thus learn through continuous growth.