Amber lives in a housing development between two parallel streets that both connect to a freeway. She usually takes the street to the south when heading southbound on the freeway to work, but that street is closed for repairs for three months. Amber takes the street to the north during that time. After the street to the south is re-opened, she continues to take the street to the north, even though it is a slightly longer route. Continuing to take the street to the north represents
A) a single dissociation.
B) a source problem.
C) a mental set.
D) convergent thinking.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Amber's continued use of the longer route even after the street to the south is re-opened suggests that she has formed a mental set, or a habitual way of thinking about the situation. This mental set may have been reinforced during the three months that the southbound street was closed, causing her to continue using the northbound street even when it is no longer necessary.

Amber Lives in a Housing Development Between Two Parallel Streets