In psychology, 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. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing novel uses for familiar objects, thereby hindering problem-solving. When faced with a new challenge, people often fail to think creatively because they are 'fixed' on the object's typical function, overlooking alternative possibilities that could lead to a solution.
🎧 การบรรยาย
Professor: So, let me give you an example from a classic 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 it could burn properly without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled. They tried tacking the candle directly to the wall, or melting wax to stick it, but nothing worked. The key was to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall as a shelf, and place the candle on top. But most people couldn't see the box as anything but a container for thumbtacks. They were fixated on its usual role, so they failed to use it as a support. Once someone pointed out the box could serve as a platform, they quickly solved it.
❓ คำถาม Using the example from the lecture, explain the concept of functional fixedness and how it affected the participants' ability to solve the problem.
📊 เกณฑ์การให้คะแนน TOEFL Speaking Task 3
Delivery: Fluency, pronunciation, intonation
Language Use: Grammar, vocabulary, sentence variety
Topic Development: Accurately explain the reading concept and restate the lecture examples
Scored 0-30 based on holistic scoring (original 0-4, scaled to 30). 30s preparation, 60s response.
💡 เคล็ดลับ
Note the core concept definition from the reading (usually 1-2 sentences)
Record 1-2 specific examples the professor uses in the lecture
Start with the concept definition, then explain with lecture examples
Use template phrases: "The reading defines... The professor illustrates this by..."
Keep within 60s; ensure clarity and fluency
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⚠️ AI 自动评分基于托福官方口语三大维度（Delivery / Language Use / Topic Development）标准开发，结果仅供练习参考。
