TOEFLスピーキング Task 3

In psychology, the concept of "functional fixedness" refers to the tendency to perceive an object only in terms of its most common use, which can hinder problem-solving. When individuals are fixated on an object's typical function, they fail to see alternative ways to use it. This cognitive bias limits creativity and flexibility in approaching challenges. Overcoming functional fixedness often requires a deliberate restructuring of how one views the object and its potential roles in a given situation.

Professor: Let me illustrate this with a classic experiment. Participants were given a candle, a box of tacks, and a book of matches, and asked to attach the candle to a wall so it could burn properly. One group received the tacks in a small box, while another group received the tacks separately. The first group struggled because they saw the box only as a container for tacks—they couldn't think of using it as a platform. The second group, however, quickly emptied the box and tacked it to the wall as a shelf for the candle. The difference? The first group suffered from functional fixedness—they were blinded by the box's typical role. The second group, seeing the box as just another object, could repurpose it easily.