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 alternative uses for familiar objects, thereby hindering creative problem-solving. When faced with a novel challenge, people often fail to think beyond an object’s typical function, even when a simple solution requires such flexibility. Overcoming functional fixedness requires deliberately re-evaluating objects’ properties and potential roles in a given situation.
🎧 การบรรยาย
Professor: Let me give you a classic example. In a study, 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 participants struggled. They tried to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it—both failed. The solution was to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall as a shelf, and place the candle inside. The box was right there, but because participants saw it only as a container for tacks, they couldn’t think of it as a platform. That’s functional fixedness—they were stuck on the box’s usual purpose. Once they reimagined the box as a support, the problem was solved.
❓ คำถาม Question: Using the example from the lecture, explain the concept of functional fixedness.
📊 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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