托福口语 Task 3

The concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in its traditional manner, preventing them from seeing its alternative uses. This mental block often hinders creative problem-solving because individuals fail to recognize novel applications for familiar items. Psychologists argue that overcoming functional fixedness requires deliberate mental flexibility, such as redefining the object's purpose or breaking it into component parts.

Professor: To illustrate functional fixedness, let me tell you about a classic experiment. Participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and a book of matches. Their task was to attach the candle to a wall so it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled because they saw the box only as a container for tacks—not as a potential shelf. However, those who succeeded emptied the box, tacked it to the wall, and placed the candle inside. The key was to break the mental association of the box with its usual role. Another group, given the tacks already separate from the box, solved it more easily. This shows how our preconceived notions block creative solutions.