托福口语 Task 3

The concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency to perceive objects only in their most common or traditional use, which can hinder problem-solving. When individuals are confronted with a task requiring a novel use of an object, they often fail to see alternative functions due to this mental set. Functional fixedness is a cognitive bias that limits creativity and flexibility in thinking, and it can be overcome by actively redefining the object's possible purposes.

Professor: So, let me give you a classic example. In a well-known experiment, participants were given a candle, a box of tacks, and a book of matches. Their task was to attach the candle to a wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many participants tried to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it, but both failed. The solution was to empty the tack box, tack it to the wall, and use it as a platform for the candle. However, participants who saw the box as merely a container for tacks couldn't think of using it as a shelf. That's functional fixedness. They were so fixated on the box's typical role that they missed its potential as a support.