The Candle Problem and the Psychology of Creativity
A C1 Spanish reading on Duncker's candle problem, functional fixedness and the limits of experimental claims.
El problema de la vela: cuando una caja deja de ser caja
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1952. 57 : 29 28 . , . .
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About this article
What you'll learn
Scientific vocabulary for problem solving, cautious interpretation of evidence and four C1 constructions.
The article explains Duncker's candle task and solution, Adamson's 1952 replication and the precise limits of conclusions from Glucksberg's 1962 experiment.
After reading
Article learning block
Phrases, words, grammar, and quick practice from this text.
Phrases for training
Add useful phrases to SRS or mark them as already known.
A primera vista
newat first sight
It marks an initial impression that may later change.
Useful for cautious analysis.
Dicho de otro modo
newin other words
It introduces a reformulation of the same idea.
Useful for clarifying complex ideas.
No basta con mirar más tiempo
newLooking longer is not enough
No basta con denies that an action is sufficient.
Useful for arguing about limited solutions.
das por sentada
newto take for granted
It means accepting something without questioning it.
Useful for critical thinking.
Key words
Vocabulary that carries the school-day topic.
chinchetas
chinchetas
thumbtacks
Small tacks used to fasten paper or light objects.
Needed to understand the task.
cerillas
cerillas
matches
Small sticks lit by friction.
Needed for the experiment description.
recipiente
recipiente
container
An object used to hold something.
Explains the box's usual function.
repisa
repisa
shelf
A horizontal support on which objects can rest.
Explains the box's new function.
hallazgo
hallazgo
finding
A result established from research data.
Useful for reading scientific texts.
ocurrencia
ocurrencia
a sudden idea
An idea that comes to mind spontaneously.
Helps distinguish an idea from a tested solution.
Grammar in context
Patterns from the text worth noticing after reading.
de modo que pueda arder
de modo que pueda arder
so that it can burn
The subjunctive pueda follows de modo que when it expresses a purpose.
Useful for stating a desired result precisely.
Si las chinchetas están dentro
Si las chinchetas están dentro
If the tacks are inside
A real condition uses si with the indicative están.
Useful for describing experimental conditions.
De ahí que convenga separar
De ahí que convenga separar
Hence it is advisable to separate
De ahí que is followed by the subjunctive convenga.
Useful for drawing a cautious conclusion.
Aunque contenga una idea absurda
Aunque contenga una idea absurda
Even if it contains an absurd idea
The subjunctive contenga presents the content as possible, not established.
Useful for a hypothetical concession.
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