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 creative problem-solving. When faced with a challenge, people often fail to think beyond an object's intended function, even when a simple repurposing could solve the problem effectively. Overcoming functional fixedness requires flexible thinking and the ability to perceive objects in novel ways.

Professor: Today, let's discuss a classic experiment on functional fixedness. In the study, participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and a book of matches, and asked to attach the candle to the wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many participants struggled because 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 small platform, and place the candle on top. Those who succeeded were able to break free from the fixed idea of the box's function. This demonstrates how overcoming functional fixedness allows for creative solutions to everyday problems.