The concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive objects only in terms of their typical or intended functions, which can hinder problem-solving. When faced with a novel task, people often fail to see alternative uses for familiar objects because their mental representation of the object is rigidly tied to its conventional purpose. This cognitive bias limits creative thinking and can prevent finding simple solutions to everyday problems.
🎧 リスニング講義
Professor: Let me illustrate this with a classic experiment. 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 properly. Many struggled. The solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall, and place the candle inside. But participants fixated on the box as a container for thumbtacks, not as a potential shelf. In another group, the thumbtacks were presented separately from the box, so participants more easily saw the box's alternative function. This shows how functional fixedness blocks us from using objects in novel ways.
❓ 質問 Question: Using the example from the lecture, explain the concept of functional fixedness.
📊 TOEFLスピーキング評価基準
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.
💡 解答のヒント
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
🎤 免费 AI 口语评分
基于 2800+ 托福真题评分库 · 无限次免费使用
⚠️ AI 自动评分基于托福官方口语三大维度（Delivery / Language Use / Topic Development）标准开发，结果仅供练习参考。
