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 seeing novel uses for familiar items. Functional fixedness often hinders problem-solving because it restricts creative thinking. Overcoming this bias requires consciously reframing an object's possible functions beyond its typical purpose.

Professor: Let me give you a classic example. In a study, participants were given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, 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 people tried to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it, but failed. The solution was to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall, and use it as a platform for the candle. Why did so many fail? Because they saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks. They were functionally fixed on its usual role. Once they realized the box could serve as a shelf, the problem was easily solved.