托福口语 Task 3

In psychology, the concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency to perceive objects only in terms of their most common or typical use, which can hinder creative problem-solving. When individuals are fixated on an object’s standard function, they fail to see alternative ways it might be used to solve a novel problem. This cognitive bias limits flexibility and often prevents people from arriving at innovative solutions, even when the solution is readily available. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a deliberate shift in perspective, allowing one to consider unconventional uses for familiar items.

Professor: Let me give you an example from a classic study. Participants were given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, and a book of matches, and asked to attach the candle to the wall so that it could burn properly without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled. The typical solution is to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall, and place the candle inside it. But most people couldn’t see the box as anything but a container for thumbtacks—that’s functional fixedness. However, one group was shown the box with the thumbtacks already removed, presented as a separate tray. In that condition, nearly all participants solved the problem easily because they no longer saw the box as just a holder. So when the box’s usual function wasn’t emphasized, they could see it as a platform.