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 the way it is traditionally used. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing alternative uses for familiar objects, thereby hindering problem-solving and creative thinking. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a shift in perspective, allowing the mind to break free from conventional associations and explore novel functions for everyday items.

Professor: Let me illustrate this with 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 that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled, trying to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it. But the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall as a platform, and place the candle inside. The key was seeing the box not just as a container for tacks, but as a potential shelf. Those who overcame functional fixedness solved the problem quickly, while others remained stuck because they saw the box only in its typical role.