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 way. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing alternative uses for familiar items, thereby hindering problem-solving and creativity. When faced with a new challenge, people often fail to think beyond an object's intended function, even when a simple solution is available. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a shift in perspective, allowing the mind to explore unconventional applications of everyday objects.

Professor: Now, let me give you a classic example of functional fixedness. Imagine you have a candle, a box of tacks, and a book of matches. Your task is to attach the candle to a wall so it can burn properly. Many people try to melt the wax and stick it to the wall, or nail the candle to the wall with a tack, but both fail. The correct solution is to use the box that holds the tacks as a platform—tack the empty box to the wall, then place the candle on top of it. People often overlook the box because they see it only as a container for tacks, not as a potential shelf. This shows how functional fixedness stops them from reimagining the box's purpose.