托福口语 Task 3

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, thereby hindering creative problem-solving. When individuals encounter a problem, they often fail to see alternative uses for familiar objects because their minds are 'fixed' on the object's typical function. This mental block can prevent them from finding novel solutions, even when those solutions are readily available.

Professor: Let me give you an example from a classic psychology experiment. Participants were given a box of thumbtacks, a candle, and a book of matches. Their task was to attach the candle to a wall so that it could burn properly without dripping wax on the floor. Many participants tried to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it, but these failed. The solution was to empty the box, tack the box to the wall, and use it as a platform for the candle. Those who saw the box as a container—its typical function—couldn't solve it. But those who could 'see' the box as a shelf, not just a container, succeeded. This shows how functional fixedness blocks creativity.