Improve Your Problem-Solving: Master the Einstellung Effect

Building expertise and knowledge in an area has many benefits. It can help you become more efficient at tasks, solve complex problems, build advanced skills, and expand your professional opportunities. However, contrary to many people’s intuition, experts are sometimes hindered from finding the most beneficial solution. One of the ways this block occurs is the Einstellung Effect. 

Discover how you can spot the Einstellung Effect and what you can do to address these potential issues affecting your work.

What is the Einstellung Effect? 

The Einstellung Effect is a phenomenon that exists when a subject-matter expert cannot see the best solution and instead opts for answers they used in the past. It is a common issue in many fields. Professionals will look to their experience and training to give them insight into how to find practical solutions. You may have even heard analogies in the past by professionals in this situation, with phrases such as “Solution A solved problem B, so let’s try solution A for problem C.”

Read more: 7 Problem-Solving Skills That Can Help You Be a More Successful Manager

How specific knowledge can interfere 

Teams and individuals often look at how they solved similar situations in the past, and then they can become fixated on using comparable solutions. For example, if you have used a particular method to solve the last five problems, it makes sense to try and use the same method to solve the sixth problem. However, doing so can block you from looking at the problem with fresh eyes and finding an innovative solution that may be more beneficial than the previous method.

The Water Jar Experiment

Several research experiments over the years have demonstrated the Einstellung Effect. One famous example is the “Water Jar Experiment.” Researchers conducted an experiment by giving a group of participants three water jars with different capacities. The participants had to find a way to measure a specific volume with these jars. For example, researchers might give participants jars A, B, and C holding 127, 21, and three water units, respectively. Researchers would then ask participants to measure 100 units with these jars. 

Researchers split participants into two groups and gave one group five practice problems. For this group, researchers designed practice problems with solutions using the same method (A-B-2C). Researchers then asked both groups to solve four water jar problems. Researchers found that the group with the practice problems used the A-B-2C method more often, even if a simpler solution existed.

Researchers then gave the two groups a problem that did not use the A-B-2C solution. The group with the practice problems using the same method could not find the solution for this problem, which indicated to researchers that the Einstellung Effect was occurring. 

Problem-solving tips to overcome the Einstellung Effect 

You can use several strategies to reduce the likelihood of experiencing the Einstellung Effect. These problem-solving tips range from individual strategies to team dynamics. Being aware of the Einstellung Effect can help you make educated decisions when solving problems and building teams. It can also help you identify when you may be experiencing this phenomenon.

1. Get adequate rest.

It’s no secret that people typically feel fresher after having a good night’s sleep. However, lack of sleep might have more of an effect on your problem-solving skills than you realize. In one study, researchers found that fatigue increases the likelihood of experiencing the Einstellung Effect. When tired, you may have more trouble thinking “outside the box” and face the increased temptation to try and find an easier solution (such as one you have used before). 

2. Focus on having a “beginner’s mind.”

When approaching a new problem, look at the issue as though no known solution exists. This is the “beginner’s mind,” a Zen concept in which you imagine endless possibilities to solve your problem. It can help you look with a fresh perspective and identify potential solutions that were not apparent before. 

One way to do this is by employing design thinking. This method involves five essential steps: empathize, define, ideate, prototype, and test. If you make an effort to go through several stages of the design thinking process, you can refrain from jumping to a known solution right away.

Read more: How to Develop Your Problem-Solving Skills

3. Create diverse teams.

Working with teams is more effective than working alone. Teammates bring varying experience, expertise, backgrounds, and knowledge. They also generally have different experiences solving problems, which can minimize the collective Einstellung Effect. When building a team, look for members with complementary skills and experiences. This allows team members to challenge one another and help identify rigidity in thinking.

4. Take breaks.

Take breaks to engage in other activities and change your mind. Many people find solutions when they stop focusing directly on looking for the answer. Doing so allows your subconscious mind to work in the background, and you may have a better chance of looking at the problem with fresh eyes when you return.

5. Brainstorm new ideas to find solutions

Writing down even your most unconventional ideas can help you break free from routine thinking and ignite fresh ideas. If you feel you might be having trouble finding new ways to look at the problem, consider employing a few brainstorming techniques to get started. For example, you might try to solve the opposite of the problem or challenge yourself to think of the most outlandish solution. While these might not be your end solution, they can help get you out of a creative rut.

6. Stay aware of the Einstellung Effect

In many cases, simply being aware of the Einstellung Effect can help you avoid it. When you actively avoid reusing old strategies and look at the problem from an open perspective, you allow yourself to be creative and innovative. This can also help your team stay open and leave room for discussion of new and exciting ideas.

Next steps 

The Einstellung Effect can hinder your progress on projects, but you can overcome it if you have tools in your toolbox to break potential constraints the effect may have on your projects. Explore how to build your problem-solving skills with courses on Coursera that could help you break the Einstellung Effect.

For example, you might try Effective Problem-Solving and Decision-Making with the University of California Irvine. This course can help you identify problems and generate solutions while also reviewing mindset and personal bias influence. Another option is Creative Thinking: Techniques and Tools for Success by Imperial College London, which can help you understand and apply creative thinking techniques to find solutions to problems.