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. When individuals are fixated on an object's typical function, they fail to imagine alternative uses, which can hinder problem-solving. This mental block prevents creative solutions because the person cannot see beyond the object's conventional purpose.

Professor: So, let me illustrate this with a classic experiment. Participants were given a box of tacks, a candle, and a matchbox. Their task was to attach the candle to the wall so it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled because they saw the matchbox only as a container for tacks. However, 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 functional fixedness—they had to see the box not as a tack holder but as a platform. This shows how breaking free from typical uses leads to effective problem-solving.