Use-the-Hammer Cognitive Bias

A Use-the-Hammer Cognitive Bias is a cognitive bias that leads to tool overuse (causing solution misapplications).

• AKA: Law of the Instrument, Golden Hammer, Law of the Hammer.
• Context:
  • It can manifest when Problem Solvers overuse familiar tools for inappropriate problem types.
  • It can reduce solution effectiveness through tool fixation.
  • It can limit problem solving approaches by creating cognitive tunnel vision.
  • It can inhibit alternative solution exploration due to comfort bias.
  • ...
  • It can occur in professional domains when experts rely too heavily on their specialized knowledge.
  • It can affect decision making processes by promoting default solutions.
  • It can influence technology selection through familiarity bias.
  • ...
  • It can range from being a Minor Cognitive Limitation to being a Major Strategic Weakness, depending on its impact severity.
  • It can range from being a Temporary Fixation to being a Chronic Pattern, depending on its persistence duration.
  • ...
  • It can interact with confirmation bias through solution validation.
  • It can combine with sunk cost fallacy through investment justification.
  • It can amplify organizational inertia through process standardization.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Professional Domain manifestations, such as:
    • Software Development cases, such as:
      • Framework Overuse for inappropriate application types.
      • Language Lock-in despite better technology alternatives.
    • Management Practice cases, such as:
      • Process Standardization Excess across different project contexts.
      • Methodology Rigidity despite varying team needs.
  • Academic Domain manifestations, such as:
    • Research Methodology cases, such as:
      • Statistical Test Overuse for inappropriate data types.
      • Theory Overapplication to unrelated phenomenons.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Tool Flexibility, which adapts solution approaches to match problem contexts.
  • Solution Diversity, which maintains multiple problem solving tools.
  • Context Sensitivity, which recognizes when tools are inappropriate.
• See: Cognitive Bias, Problem Solving Pattern, Tool Selection Process, Solution Assessment Method.

---