Maxwell is working on a challenging "mind bender" that is asking him to connect nine dots using only four lines without taking his pencil off the paper. The nine dots are placed in three groups of three in a square-like formation. Maxwell works on the problem for about fifteen minutes before he realizes that he has been employing the same ineffective strategy. He is forgetting to consider the special circumstances of that particular problem. As soon as he does consider the special circumstances of that particular problem, he'll increase his chances of solving the problem. Until then, Maxwell will continue to experience _____
asked Feb 29, 2016 in Psychology by Muffy
a) functional fixedness.
b) the means-end analysis.
c) the affirming the consequent phenomenon.
d) a mental set.

Mental set: The mental set is a structure for reasoning and thinking about a specific problem. A mental set can be formed through desire or habit. It helps to solve day to day problems yet a wrong mental set can hinder problem-solving ability and creativity. A person tends to approach a situation or problem the same way as he or she has done in the past because it has worked earlier.

Example: A child may solve a mathematics problem in the same manner as he has done earlier.

In the question above, Maxwell will continue to experience a mental set.