托福口语 Task 3

In psychology, the concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency to perceive an object only in terms of its most common use, thereby limiting the ability to think of alternative uses. This cognitive bias can hinder problem-solving because individuals fail to see beyond an object's typical function. Overcoming functional fixedness often requires a shift in perspective or creative thinking to utilize familiar items in novel ways.

Professor: Let me give you an example. In 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 a wall so it could burn properly. Many participants tried to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it, but these failed. The solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall, and use it as a platform for the candle. However, most people struggled because they saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks—a classic case of functional fixedness. Once someone suggested using the box as a shelf, they realized its alternative function and solved the problem.