Mental Set: An Overview
Mental set is a psychological concept that refers to a person’s inclination to persist in using a particular problem-solving strategy even if it is not the most appropriate or effective approach. This phenomenon is typically triggered by the individual’s prior experiences and knowledge, and is thought to affect problem solving in both everyday situations and more complex scenarios. This article provides an overview of mental set, including its definition and implications, and a review of the existing research on this topic.
Definition
Mental set is a psychological concept that describes an individual’s tendency to persist in using a particular problem-solving strategy, even when it may not be the most effective or appropriate approach (Frensch & Sternberg, 1989). This phenomenon is typically triggered by the individual’s prior knowledge and experiences, and can influence problem-solving in both everyday and more complex scenarios. Mental set is sometimes referred to as “functional fixedness” or “perceptual set” because it can be seen as an inflexible outlook or perspective (Frensch & Sternberg, 1989).
Implications
Mental set can have significant implications for problem solving. For example, if an individual is stuck in a particular routine, they may not be able to think of alternative solutions or approaches to a problem. This can lead to inefficiency, as the individual may not be able to come up with the most effective or efficient solution. Additionally, mental set can lead to a lack of creativity in problem solving, as the individual may be unable to think outside the box and come up with novel solutions.
Research
Research on mental set has focused on understanding how this phenomenon affects problem solving. For example, a study by Frensch and Sternberg (1989) examined the effects of mental set on problem solving efficiency. They found that when participants were presented with a problem that required a novel solution, they were less efficient in solving the problem than when they were presented with a problem that could be solved with a familiar solution. This suggests that mental set can lead to a decrease in problem-solving efficiency.
Other research has focused on understanding the factors that can influence mental set. For example, a study by Vosniadou, Ortony, and Reynolds (1989) examined the role of prior knowledge in mental set. They found that prior knowledge plays a role in influencing an individual’s mental set, and that individuals with more knowledge are more likely to be stuck in a particular problem-solving routine.
Conclusion
Mental set is a psychological phenomenon that describes an individual’s tendency to persist in using a particular problem-solving strategy, even when it may not be the most effective or appropriate approach. This phenomenon can have significant implications for problem solving, as it can lead to a lack of efficiency and creativity in coming up with solutions. Research on mental set has focused on understanding how this phenomenon affects problem solving, as well as the factors that can influence mental set.
References
Frensch, P. A., & Sternberg, R. J. (1989). The complexity of problem solving: A comparison of novice and experienced performance. In L. B. Resnick (Ed.), Knowing, learning, and instruction: Essays in honor of Robert Glaser. Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.
Vosniadou, S., Ortony, A., & Reynolds, R. E. (1989). Mental set and prior knowledge in a problem-solving context. Cognitive Psychology, 21(2), 173-211.