📖 読解資料
In psychology, 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. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing novel uses for familiar objects, thereby hindering problem-solving. When faced with a new challenge, people often fail to think creatively because they are 'fixed' on the object's typical function, overlooking alternative possibilities that could lead to a solution.
🎧 リスニング講義
Professor: So, let me give you an example from a classic experiment. Participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and a book of matches, and asked to attach the candle to a wall so it could burn properly without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled. They tried tacking the candle directly to the wall, or melting wax to stick it, but nothing worked. The key was to empty the thumbtack box, tack it to the wall as a shelf, and place the candle on top. But most people couldn't see the box as anything but a container for thumbtacks. They were fixated on its usual role, so they failed to use it as a support. Once someone pointed out the box could serve as a platform, they quickly solved it.