📖 Reading Passage
In psychology, the concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency to perceive an object only in terms of its most common or traditional use, thereby limiting the ability to imagine alternative functions. This cognitive bias can hinder problem-solving because individuals become 'fixated' on the object's typical purpose and fail to see how it might be repurposed in novel ways. Overcoming functional fixedness often requires a deliberate shift in perspective to unlock creative solutions.
🎧 Listening Lecture
Professor: Let me give you a classic example from a study. Participants were asked to fix a candle to a wall so that it would burn without dripping wax on the floor. They were given a box of tacks, a book of matches, and a candle. Most people struggled because they saw the box only as a container for tacks. They couldn't think of using the box as a platform to hold the candle. However, when the tacks were placed outside the box, participants immediately realized they could tack the box to the wall and put the candle inside it. The mere absence of the tacks inside the box helped them overcome functional fixedness and see the box's alternative use.