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 items because their minds are fixed on the object's typical purpose. This mental block can prevent the discovery of novel solutions, even when those solutions are readily available. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a deliberate effort to think beyond conventional uses and consider all possible properties of an object.

Professor: Let me illustrate this with a classic experiment. Participants were given a candle, a box of tacks, and a book of matches, and were asked to attach the candle to the wall so that it could burn properly. Many participants tried to melt the candle wax onto the wall or nail the candle directly with tacks—both failed. They couldn't think of using the tack box as a platform. However, when the tacks were presented outside the box, participants quickly realized they could empty the box, tack it to the wall, and place the candle inside. The difference? In the first condition, the box was 'just' a container for tacks—functional fixedness blocked their creativity. Once the box was separated from its typical role, they saw it as a potential shelf. So, the bias prevents us from reimagining an object's use, even when a simple solution is possible.