托福口语 Task 3

The concept of "functional fixedness" refers to a cognitive bias that limits a person to using an object only in the way it is traditionally used, preventing them from imagining alternative functions. This mental block often hinders problem-solving because individuals fail to see novel uses for familiar items. Psychologists study functional fixedness to understand how prior knowledge and habits can impede creativity and adaptability in everyday situations.

Professor: So, let me give you a classic example from a study. Participants were given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, and a book of matches. Their task was to attach the candle to a wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled. They tried to melt the candle with matches or tack the candle directly to the wall—none worked. The solution was to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall as a platform, and place the candle inside. The problem was that participants saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks, not as a potential shelf. Because they were fixated on its usual function, they couldn't think of using it differently. Once they overcame that mental block, the solution became obvious.