Perceptual blocks prevent us from seeing what the problem is. We experience difficulty in isolating the problem and distinguishing between cause and effect. Perceptual blocks cause us to not see relationships between aspects of the problem and potential solutions, and we fail to use all our senses in observing. Cultural blocks are where we are constrained by traditions and beliefs. Our desire is to conform to the adopted pattern and we are wary about being seen as too inquisitive or too accepting if we don't doubt everything.
Difficulties arise from over generalization and too much faith in statistics.
Our desire to be practical and too much faith in reason and logic limit us from venturing outside the norm for alternate approaches. Cultural blocks begin early in our school settings, where we first begin to lose our natural creative abilities. Children are taught there is a right answer and one right way, the teacher's way, to problem-solving. They are rewarded for conforming, and rarely recognized for innovation. Emotional blocks are where we are limited by our insecurities.