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. This mental block prevents individuals from seeing alternative uses for familiar objects, thereby hindering problem-solving. When people encounter a novel problem, they often fail to think creatively because they are anchored to an object’s typical function. Overcoming functional fixedness requires a deliberate shift in perspective, allowing the mind to explore unconventional applications.

Professor: So, let me give you a classic example from a psychology study. Participants were given a box of tacks, a candle, and a matchbox, and asked to attach the candle to a wall so it could burn properly. Most people tried to tack the candle directly to the wall or melt wax to stick it—both failed. They were stuck because they saw the box only as a container for tacks. But the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall as a shelf, and place the candle on it. The box's function as a 'holder' was fixed in their minds, so they couldn't see it as a platform. Once they broke that mental set, the solution was obvious.