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 and creativity. Functional fixedness often arises when people rely too heavily on past experiences and fail to think outside the box. Overcoming this bias typically requires conscious effort to reframe the problem and consider unconventional applications of available resources.

Professor: Today, let's look at a classic experiment that illustrates functional fixedness. In the study, 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 without dripping wax on the floor. Many participants struggled because they saw the thumbtack box only as a container. However, the solution was to empty the box, tack it to the wall, and place the candle inside it. Those who succeeded had to break their mental set and use the box as a shelf, not just as a box. This shows how our usual way of viewing objects can block creative solutions.