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A mentalset is a tendency to only see solutions that have worked in the past. This type of fixed thinking can make it difficult to come up with solutions and can impede the problem-solving process. For example, that you are trying to solve a math problem in algebra class. The problem seems similar to ones you have worked on previously, so you approach solving it in the same way. Because of your mental set, you may be unable to see a simpler solution that is unique to this problem.OverviewWhen we are solving problems, we tend to fall back on solutions that have worked in the past. In many cases, this is a useful approach that allows us to quickly come up with answers. In some instances, however, this strategy can make it difficult to think of new ways ofsolving problems.Mental sets can lead to rigid thinking and create difficulties in theproblem-solving process.How Problem-Solving Therapy Can HelpFunctional FixednessFunctional fixednessis a specific type of mental set where people are only able to see solutions that involve using objects in their normal or expected manner. Mental sets are definitely useful at times. By using strategies that have worked before, we are often able to quickly come up with solutions. This can save time and, in many cases, the approach does yield a correct solution.While in many cases it is beneficial to use our past experiences to solve issues we face, it can also make it difficult to see novel or creative ways of fixing current problems.For example, imagine your vacuum cleaner has stopped working. When it has stopped working in the past, a broken belt was the culprit. Since past experience has taught you the belt is a common issue, you immediately replace the belt again. But, this time the vacuum continues to malfunction.However, when you ask a friend to come to take a look at the vacuum, they quickly realize one of the hose attachments was not connected, causing the vacuum to lose suction. Because of your mental set, you failed to notice a fairly obvious solution to the problem.Impact of Past ExperiencesIn daily life, a mental set may prevent you from solving a relatively minor problem (like figuring out what is wrong with your vacuum cleaner). On a larger scale, mental sets can prevent scientists from discovering answers to real-world problems or make it difficult for a doctor to determine the cause of an illness.For example, a physician might see a new patient with symptoms similar to certain cases they have seen in the past, so they might diagnose this new patient with the same illness. Because of this mental set, the doctor might overlook symptoms that would actually point to a different illness altogether. Such mental sets can obviously have a dramatic impact on the health of the patient and possible outcomes.The Purpose of Psychological Theory
A mentalset is a tendency to only see solutions that have worked in the past. This type of fixed thinking can make it difficult to come up with solutions and can impede the problem-solving process. For example, that you are trying to solve a math problem in algebra class. The problem seems similar to ones you have worked on previously, so you approach solving it in the same way. Because of your mental set, you may be unable to see a simpler solution that is unique to this problem.
Overview
When we are solving problems, we tend to fall back on solutions that have worked in the past. In many cases, this is a useful approach that allows us to quickly come up with answers. In some instances, however, this strategy can make it difficult to think of new ways ofsolving problems.
Mental sets can lead to rigid thinking and create difficulties in theproblem-solving process.
How Problem-Solving Therapy Can Help
Functional Fixedness
Functional fixednessis a specific type of mental set where people are only able to see solutions that involve using objects in their normal or expected manner. Mental sets are definitely useful at times. By using strategies that have worked before, we are often able to quickly come up with solutions. This can save time and, in many cases, the approach does yield a correct solution.
While in many cases it is beneficial to use our past experiences to solve issues we face, it can also make it difficult to see novel or creative ways of fixing current problems.For example, imagine your vacuum cleaner has stopped working. When it has stopped working in the past, a broken belt was the culprit. Since past experience has taught you the belt is a common issue, you immediately replace the belt again. But, this time the vacuum continues to malfunction.
However, when you ask a friend to come to take a look at the vacuum, they quickly realize one of the hose attachments was not connected, causing the vacuum to lose suction. Because of your mental set, you failed to notice a fairly obvious solution to the problem.
Impact of Past Experiences
In daily life, a mental set may prevent you from solving a relatively minor problem (like figuring out what is wrong with your vacuum cleaner). On a larger scale, mental sets can prevent scientists from discovering answers to real-world problems or make it difficult for a doctor to determine the cause of an illness.
For example, a physician might see a new patient with symptoms similar to certain cases they have seen in the past, so they might diagnose this new patient with the same illness. Because of this mental set, the doctor might overlook symptoms that would actually point to a different illness altogether. Such mental sets can obviously have a dramatic impact on the health of the patient and possible outcomes.
The Purpose of Psychological Theory
2 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Necka E, Kubik T.How non-experts fail where experts do not: Implications of expertise for resistance to cognitive rigidity.Studia Psychologica. 2012;54(1):3-14.Valee-Tourangeau F, Euden G, Hearn V.Einstellung defused: Interactivity and mental set.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2011;64(10):1889-1895. doi:10.1080/17470218.2011.605151
2 Sources
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Necka E, Kubik T.How non-experts fail where experts do not: Implications of expertise for resistance to cognitive rigidity.Studia Psychologica. 2012;54(1):3-14.Valee-Tourangeau F, Euden G, Hearn V.Einstellung defused: Interactivity and mental set.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2011;64(10):1889-1895. doi:10.1080/17470218.2011.605151
Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Necka E, Kubik T.How non-experts fail where experts do not: Implications of expertise for resistance to cognitive rigidity.Studia Psychologica. 2012;54(1):3-14.Valee-Tourangeau F, Euden G, Hearn V.Einstellung defused: Interactivity and mental set.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2011;64(10):1889-1895. doi:10.1080/17470218.2011.605151
Necka E, Kubik T.How non-experts fail where experts do not: Implications of expertise for resistance to cognitive rigidity.Studia Psychologica. 2012;54(1):3-14.
Valee-Tourangeau F, Euden G, Hearn V.Einstellung defused: Interactivity and mental set.Quarterly Journal of Experimental Psychology. 2011;64(10):1889-1895. doi:10.1080/17470218.2011.605151
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