托福口语 Task 3

The concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive objects only in their conventional or typical use, thereby limiting their ability to imagine alternative functions. This cognitive bias can hinder problem-solving because people often fail to see beyond an object's standard purpose, even when a novel application could provide a solution. Overcoming functional fixedness requires creative thinking and the ability to mentally restructure the problem.

Professor: Today we discussed functional fixedness. Let me give you an example from a classic experiment. Participants were given a candle, a box of thumbtacks, and a book of matches. The task was to attach the candle to the wall so that it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Many struggled because they saw the box only as a container for thumbtacks. However, the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall, and place the candle inside it. Those who succeeded had to overcome the fixed idea that the box's only function was to hold tacks. Once they saw the box as a potential shelf, the problem was solved easily.