---
title: "Mental Set — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "Mental set is the tendency to attack problems with strategies that worked before, even when they fail now. A core Topic 5.7 barrier to problem solving on the AP exam."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/mental-set"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Psychology"
---

# Mental Set — AP Psychology Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

A mental set is our tendency to approach situations in certain ways because that method worked in the past.

## Related Study Guides

- [5.7 Introduction to Thinking and Problem Solving](/ap-psych-revised/unit-5/intro-thinking-problem-solving/study-guide/NHBeKBMQlrobRlG2Z0JA)

## Review

### Related Terms

- [Functional Fixedness](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/functional-fixedness): The inability to see an object as useful for any other use other than the one for which it was intended.
- [Confirmation Bias](/ap-psych-revised/key-terms/confirmation-bias): The tendency to search for information that confirms our preconceptions while ignoring or devaluing information that contradicts them.
- Perseveration: The repetition of a particular response (such as a word, phrase, or gesture) despite its lack of relevance in the current context.