inflexibility

Inflexibility is the quality of being inflexible or not easily changed; it can describe physical properties, behaviors, policies, or ways of thinking that resist adaptation in the face of new information or circumstances. In everyday usage, inflexibility connotes stubbornness or rigidity, but the term is applicable across disciplines.

In materials science, rigidity or stiffness refers to a solid's resistance to deformation. A more informal sense of inflexibility describes a material with high yield strength or low ductility. Engineers measure deformation through moduli and stress-strain relationships to assess when a material will bend, yield, or break under load.

In psychology and cognitive science, cognitive inflexibility describes difficulty shifting thoughts, attention, or strategies. It can manifest as perseveration on a single solution or reluctance to revise views after new evidence. Cognitive inflexibility is studied in relation to certain developmental conditions and mental health disorders, and is a target for therapies that promote flexible thinking.

In organizational and social contexts, inflexibility refers to rigid policies, rules, or cultures that impede adaptation to changing environments, technologies, or stakeholder needs. While predictability and safety can be advantages of rigidity, excessive inflexibility can hinder innovation, learning, and resilience.

Addressing inflexibility involves deliberate practices to enhance adaptability: governance that allows staged experimentation, training to improve cognitive flexibility, and design of processes that accommodate adjustment. The balance between stability and adaptability is a central consideration in engineering, policy, and management.