TOEFLスピーキング 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 seeing novel uses for familiar items, thereby hindering problem-solving. When faced with a challenge, people often become 'stuck' because they cannot think beyond an object's typical function, even when alternative uses could provide a solution. Overcoming functional fixedness requires creative thinking and the ability to reframe one's perception of an object's potential.

Professor: To illustrate functional fixedness, let me tell you about a classic experiment. Participants were given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, and a book of matches, and asked to attach the candle to the wall so it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled. The solution was to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall as a small shelf, and place the candle on top. However, most participants failed because they saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks, not as a potential platform. Their minds were fixed on the box's typical function. Interestingly, when the thumbtacks were presented separately from the box, participants solved the problem much more easily. This shows how our preconceived notions about an object's use can block creative solutions.