Derek is under extreme stress because he is taking an exam that will determine his grade in the course.As a result of this pressure,he is trying to answer all of the questions on the exam using exactly the same procedure-even when that procedure isn't correct.Derek's situation illustrates the negative impact of ____.
A) problem-focused coping strategies
B) mental sets
C) posttraumatic stress disorder
D) functional fixedness

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Derek's behavior is an example of mental sets, which refers to the tendency to approach problems in a familiar way without considering alternative approaches. He is using the same procedure despite it not being correct, which suggests he is stuck in a mental set. The other options are not relevant in this scenario; problem-focused coping strategies involve taking action to solve the problem at hand, posttraumatic stress disorder is a disorder that results from exposure to a traumatic event, and functional fixedness refers to the tendency to see objects or concepts in terms of their most common use or function.

Derek Is Under Extreme Stress Because He Is Taking an Exam