Which term describes the inability to see alternative uses for an object due to a learned fixed perception?

The term that describes the inability to see alternative uses for an object due to a learned fixed perception is functional fixedness. This concept refers to a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used. For instance, if someone sees a brick solely as a building material, they may overlook its potential as a tool to prop open a door or as part of a creative art project.

Functional fixedness can hinder problem-solving and creativity, as it restricts an individual from thinking outside the conventional uses of an item. This limitation often becomes evident in scenarios where innovative solutions are required, but the individual is stuck with their ingrained perceptions of the object's functionality.

The other options refer to different psychological concepts. A mental set pertains to the tendency to approach problems in a certain way that has been successful in the past, but this does not specifically relate to the rigidity of seeing an object's alternative uses. Dissociative identity disorder is a mental health condition involving disruption of identity, which is unrelated to problem-solving or object perception. Transformation problems involve making systematic changes or adjustments for solving problems, again not directly connected to the fixed perception of object use.