Which term describes the tendency to view problems only through the lens of previous experiences?

The term that accurately describes the tendency to view problems only through the lens of previous experiences is mental set. This cognitive phenomenon occurs when individuals approach situations using a mindset that reflects their past experiences rather than considering new solutions or perspectives.

Mental sets can limit problem-solving abilities because individuals may rely on familiar methods that have worked in the past, even when those methods may not be effective for new problems. For instance, if someone has consistently used a particular strategy to solve similar types of problems, they may become rigid in their thinking and overlook other potential solutions that could be more appropriate for the current challenge.

In contrast, the concept of a heuristic refers to mental shortcuts that simplify decision-making processes, while cognitive dissonance is the discomfort experienced when holding conflicting beliefs or ideas. Functional fixedness describes the inability to see alternative uses for an object beyond its traditional function. While these concepts are related to cognitive processes, they do not specifically capture the tendency to be constrained by past experiences in problem-solving as effectively as mental set does.