Every time he loses his wallet, Hakeem cannot stop checking the back pocket of the pants he is wearing. He knows the wallet is not there, and yet he continues to put his hand in the pocket to check just "one more time." This tendency to try to solve problems in the same way every time is called __________.
A) mental set
B) means-end analysis
C) noncompensatory modeling
D) prototypical idealization

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Mental set is the tendency to approach problems in the same way that has worked in the past, even if it is not the most effective way to solve it in the present moment. Hakeem's behavior of checking the same pocket even though his wallet is not there is an example of mental set. Means-end analysis is a problem-solving strategy where the individual identifies the differences between the current state and the desired goal and then searches for means to reduce the difference. Noncompensatory modeling is a decision-making strategy where one option's potential negative attributes can eliminate it from consideration, even if it has positive attributes as well. Prototypical idealization refers to an individual's tendency to overgeneralize the characteristics of a particular group or object based on a prototype or idealized stereotype. None of the other answer choices seem to fit Hakeem's behavior described in the scenario.

Every Time He Loses His Wallet, Hakeem Cannot Stop Checking