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 the way it is traditionally used. This mental block prevents individuals from imagining alternative uses for familiar objects, thereby hindering problem-solving and creativity. When faced with a novel challenge, people often overlook unconventional solutions because they are 'fixed' on the object's typical function. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a deliberate effort to reframe the problem and consider the object's properties beyond its usual purpose.

Professor: Let me give you an example from a classic experiment. Participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and a matchbook. Their task was to attach the candle to a wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many participants struggled. They tried nailing the candle to the wall with a tack, or melting the wax to stick it—none worked. But the solution was simple: empty the thumbtacks from the box, use the box as a platform, and tack the box to the wall, then place the candle on top. The problem was that participants saw the box only as a container for tacks, not as a potential shelf. They were fixated on its typical function. Once they overcame that, they solved it easily.