托福口语 Task 3

In psychology, the concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive objects only in terms of their typical or intended use, which limits their ability to think of alternative functions. This cognitive bias can hinder problem-solving because it prevents people from using familiar objects in novel ways. Overcoming functional fixedness often requires a deliberate shift in perspective or creative thinking.

Professor: To illustrate functional fixedness, consider a classic experiment. Participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, 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 because they saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks. However, the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall, and use it as a platform for the candle. Those who couldn't see the box as anything but a holder were stuck. This shows how functional fixedness blocks creative solutions. But once you break that mental set, the answer becomes obvious.