mental set
Quick Summary
In psychology, a mental set, also known as entrenchment, refers to a frame of mind that influences how an individual approaches a problem. This involves a pre-existing model or strategy that a person relies on for problem-solving. While this established approach may have been effective in the past, it can hinder finding a solution to a new or different problem because the individual becomes fixated on a method that is no longer suitable. This can make it difficult to switch to a more effective strategy when the current one stops working. A mental set is considered one of the obstacles to effective thinking.1
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