AP Psychology Practice Test

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Study for the AP Psychology Exam with a comprehensive quiz that includes flashcards and multiple choice questions. Each question is accompanied by hints and explanations to enhance understanding. Prepare effectively for your exam!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

Practice this question and more.

Which of the following best describes a method that may not aid in solving new problems?

Insight
Mental set
Confirmation bias
Availability heuristic

The correct answer is: Mental set

Mental set is a term used to describe the tendency to approach and solve problems in a familiar, routine way. While it may be helpful in solving problems that are similar to ones you have encountered before, it may hinder your ability to think outside the box and come up with new solutions. Insight, on the other hand, involves sudden and unexpected solutions that come to mind through a different approach. Confirmation bias is the tendency to look for information that confirms our preconceived beliefs, rather than considering all evidence objectively. Availability heuristic is the tendency to rely on information that is readily available in our memory, rather than considering all possible options. Therefore, compared to the other choices, mental set is the only option that does not aid in solving new problems.