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, thereby hindering creative problem-solving. When individuals encounter a problem, they often fail to see alternative functions for familiar objects because their minds are 'fixed' on the object's conventional purpose. This phenomenon can prevent people from finding novel solutions, even when those solutions are readily available. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a mental shift to perceive objects beyond their typical roles.

Professor: Let me give you a classic example from psychology experiments. Participants were given a box of tacks, a candle, and a book of matches, and asked to attach the candle to a wall so it could burn properly. Many tried nailing the candle to the wall with tacks or melting the wax to stick it—both failed. The key was to empty the tack box, tack it to the wall as a shelf, and place the candle inside it. But people struggled because they saw the box only as a container for tacks, not as a potential shelf. This is functional fixedness—they couldn't see the box's alternative function. Once someone pointed out the box could be used as a platform, the solution became obvious. So, the bias prevents flexible thinking, even when a simple fix exists.