Paxton owns a swimming pool, and last summer he got some yellowish algae in the water. He bought a specific type of algaecide to deal with the problem and in three days, the water was clear again. This summer Paxton notices a green algae beginning to form, and he uses the same algaecide as he did the previous summer. In three days, the pool is completely green and he cannot determine why the algae didn't die. Paxton failed to realize that it was a different type of algae, and his use of a past solution attempt demonstrates

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A mental set is a tendency to approach a problem in the same way that has been successful in the past, even when a different approach would be more effective. In this case, Paxton used the same algaecide that he had used successfully in the past, even though the algae was a different type. This demonstrates a mental set.

Paxton Owns a Swimming Pool, and Last Summer He Got