托福口语 Task 3

In psychology, the concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency to perceive objects only in their traditional or intended way, which limits our ability to use them creatively to solve problems. When people are fixated on an object's typical function, they often overlook alternative uses that could be more effective in novel situations. This cognitive bias can hinder problem-solving, especially when a solution requires thinking beyond conventional applications. Overcoming functional fixedness involves mentally restructuring the problem or the object's possible roles.

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 the wall so it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many failed because they saw the tack box only as a container for tacks. They tried to tack the candle directly to the wall, but it didn't work. The solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall as a shelf, and place the candle on it. But those who succeeded had to overcome functional fixedness—they realized the box could serve as a platform, not just a holder. So, the example shows how breaking the mental set of an object's usual function leads to a creative solution.