托福口语 Task 3

The concept of 'functional fixedness' refers to the tendency of individuals to perceive objects only in terms of their typical or intended use, which limits their ability to think of novel applications for those objects. This cognitive bias can hinder problem-solving because it prevents people from seeing alternative functions for familiar items. Overcoming functional fixedness often requires a deliberate shift in perspective or an external cue that prompts creative thinking.

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 a wall so it could burn properly. Some participants received the tacks in a separate box; others received them inside the box that was clearly meant to be a container. Those who saw the box as a container struggled, because they saw it only as a holder for tacks. But participants who received the tacks separately often solved the problem by tacking the empty box to the wall and placing the candle inside it. The successful group overcame functional fixedness by seeing the box not just as a container, but as a platform or shelf.