托福口语 Task 3

In psychology, the concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in its traditional manner. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing alternative uses for familiar items, thereby hindering creative problem-solving. When faced with a challenge, people often overlook novel applications of tools because they are 'fixed' on the object’s conventional function. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a deliberate shift in perspective to perceive objects beyond their typical roles.

Professor: To illustrate functional fixedness, let me tell you about a classic experiment. Participants were given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, 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 melting wax to stick the candle, or tacking it directly, but failed. The solution was to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall as a shelf, and place the candle inside. Most didn't think of using the box as a holder because they were fixed on its typical role as a container for tacks. This shows how functional fixedness blocks creative solutions.