托福口语 Task 3

In psychology, the concept of "functional fixedness" refers to the tendency to perceive an object only in terms of its most common use, which can hinder problem-solving. When people are faced with a challenge, they often fail to see alternative functions for familiar items. This cognitive bias limits creativity because the mind becomes "fixed" on the object’s typical purpose. Overcoming functional fixedness requires reimagining objects in novel ways, a skill that can be cultivated through practice and conscious effort.

Professor: Let me illustrate this with a classic experiment. Participants were given a candle, a box of tacks, and a book of matches. They had to attach the candle to a wall so it could burn without dripping wax on the floor. Most struggled. They tried to melt the wax or tack the candle directly, but failed. However, the solution was simple: empty the tack box, tack it to the wall as a platform, and place the candle inside. The box, typically seen only as a container for tacks, had to be reimagined as a shelf. Those who succeeded overcame functional fixedness by breaking free from the box's usual role.