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 the way it is traditionally used, preventing them from imagining alternative uses for it. This mental block can hinder problem-solving because individuals fail to see beyond an object's typical function. Overcoming functional fixedness often requires a creative shift in perspective, allowing one to repurpose familiar items in novel ways to achieve a goal.

Professor: Let me give you an example from a classic psychology experiment. Participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and a book of matches, and asked to attach the candle to a wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled. They tried to tack the candle directly to the wall, or melt wax to stick it, but failed. The key was to use the box as a candle holder—empty the tacks, tack the box to the wall, and place the candle inside. But most participants saw the box only as a container for tacks, not as a platform. That’s functional fixedness. Once someone realized the box could be repurposed, the problem was solved easily.