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. Functional fixedness often occurs when people are under time pressure or when they have prior experience with an object's standard function. Overcoming this bias requires creative thinking and the ability to reframe the problem.

Professor: To illustrate functional fixedness, let me tell you about a classic experiment. Participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and a book of matches. Their task was to attach the candle to the wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many participants failed because they saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks. They tried to melt wax onto the box or nail the candle directly. But the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall, and use it as a shelf for the candle. Those who succeeded had to overcome their habitual view of the box. This shows how functional fixedness can block a simple solution.