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 manner. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing alternative uses for familiar items, thereby hindering problem-solving and creativity. When faced with a new challenge, people often fail to recognize that an object can serve a different function beyond its typical purpose. Overcoming functional fixedness requires flexible thinking and the ability to reinterpret objects' potential roles in novel situations.

Professor: Let me give you an example from a classic study. Participants were asked to attach a candle to a wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. They were given a box of thumbtacks, matches, and a candle. Most people tried to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it—both failed. They saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks. However, the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall as a platform, and place the candle inside. Those who solved it had to overcome functional fixedness—they saw the box not as a holder but as a shelf. This shows how breaking mental habits leads to success.