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 or intended way. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing alternative uses for familiar items, thereby hindering creative problem-solving. When faced with a challenge, people often overlook novel solutions because they are mentally anchored to an object's conventional function. Overcoming functional fixedness requires flexible thinking and the ability to reframe problems, which can lead to innovative outcomes.

Professor: Let me give you a classic example from a study. Participants were asked to attach a candle to a wall using only a box of tacks, matches, and the candle itself. Many struggled because they saw the box only as a container for tacks. However, the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall, and place the candle inside. Those who succeeded overcame functional fixedness by recognizing the box could serve as a platform, not just a holder. In another follow-up, when the tacks were presented separately from the box, more participants solved it quickly, because the box's role as a container was less obvious. This shows how our fixed ideas about an object's use can block creative solutions.