Thinking: Exploring Mental Life 127
(a) What step in systematic problem solving involves reflection on what one has learned?
(b) What step in systematic problem solving is associated with insight?
Answers: (a) Incubation; (b) Illumination.
Obstacles to Solving Problems: Mental Sets Can
Cause Difficulties
The path of problem solving is often a rocky road. There are obstacles that can
interfere with obtaining a solution. Two of the principal obstacles are mental sets
and functional fixedness.
A mental setis a subconscious determining tendency. It is there,a part of our
cognitive processes, but sometimes its content doesn’t enter consciousness. In
principle a mental set can either help you solve a problem or interfere with the
discovery of a solution. Of principal interest is the way in which a mental set can
interfere. However, before we proceed, let’s first look at the way in which a men-
tal set can help you solve a problem.
Let’s say that you are given ten simple arithmetic problems. You are told to
add and obtain sums. With the first problem or two you are consciously instruct-
ing yourself to add. Perhaps by the third problem you are adding without telling
yourself “I need to add these numbers.” The action of obtaining sums is now
determined by a mental set to add. As you can see, this is somewhat helpful. It
gives you less to think about and juggle at a conscious level.
(a) A mental set is a subconscious
(b) In principle a mental set can either help you solve a problem or with the
discovery of a solution.
Answers: (a) determining tendency; (b) interfere.
Here are two problems in which mental sets are likely to interfere with obtain-
ing a solution. Problem 1: You are an elevator operator in the Empire State Build-
ing. Seven people get on the elevator in the lobby. Four get off at the fifth floor.
Two get on at the twenty-first floor. Three get off at the twenty-seventh floor.
What is the elevator operator’s name?
Problem 2: When an airliner crashes on the border between the United States
and Canada where do they bury the survivors?
The answer to Problem 1 is your own name.The problem starts, “Yo u are an
elevator operator.. .” The answer to Problem 2 is that survivors—who are
