Mental sets is a daily and almost instant set of “guidelines” that we have used previously utilized to help evaluate a problem. It is the most efficient way our brains go about solving daily problems. By understanding what mental sets are, how our brain utilizes them, and best practices on intentionally altering the way we think we can benefit in our daily life to make more informed and deliberate decisions, enjoy solving problems, and effectively act on those decisions.

“In general, the term mental set refers to the tendency to think about and try to solve problems in a manner consistent with the way in which we have interpreted and solved seemingly similar problems in the past. There is a positive and a negative side to mental sets. On the positive side, if the approach we take to the problem is the correct one, it will help us solve the new problem quickly and efficiently” (DCL UNCG Psychology 121). While on the opposite side of the spectrum if you have learned something previously incorrect and try to build on that you will refer back to a wrong answer. This is where knowing how the process works can come into helping us utilize and train our brains more effectively and efficiently.

Have you ever heard of employers desiring someone who can think “outside the box” and that a desirable quality in an employee is to have a “creative” solution? While this is a grand way of wording the result, it is still based on the concept that those that can think quick on their feet and in nontraditional ways will succeed in their careers. This is does not necessarily mean that they always do not follow a set of rules in their thought process, but only that they have previously made connections or mental sets that are different than the general thought process and assumptions that most make. For example, when you are told a riddle and the solution is challenging due to the double meaning of some concepts and words and then you suddenly experience the “aha” moment. This is not only a thought process but there is an attached physical response related to this. In 2012 there was a study done by various scientists that took MRIs as people solved Chinese Chengyu riddles. Dr. Zhao goes on to say “Our data indicates that the early period of insight solution shows more activation in the middle temporal gyrus, the middle frontal gyrus and the anterior cingulate cortex. These activities might be associated to the extensive semantic processing, as well as detecting and resolving cognitive conflicts. In contrast, the late period of insight solution produced increased activities in the hippocampus and the amygdala, possibly reflecting the forming of novel association and the concomitant “Aha” feeling. Our study supports the key role of hippocampus in forming novel associations, and indicates a dynamic neural network during insight solution” (Zhao, 2013). While this may not seem revolutionary, it is insightful to the physical response and process of mental sets.

I found this profound in a simple discussion I had with my children as we shared riddles. For example, what has four legs and one foot? With the use of the words “legs and foot” you would typically refer to the mental set it was living, but it in fact was a bed. Another riddle we enjoyed was that of what seven letter word contains hundreds of letters? The answer- mailbox. By grouping the words “word and letter” your mental set mislead you to not create one of these “out of the box” answers earlier mentioned. But rest assured that now that you are aware of the issue and how to solve this differently you have created a new mental set and possible solution.

Overall, the world needs people to think alternatively and quickly to prove the success of our species. Mental sets help us in a way that could be considered “Darwinism” in nature and always evolving. By better understanding how to use and create mental sets we can not only better our answers, be more creative in our solutions, but also propose revolutionary concepts.

DCL UNCG Psychology 121. (n.d.). Retrieved November 20, 2016, from                http://web.uncg.edu/dcl/courses/psychology-ischool/unit7/unit7_mental.asp

Zhao, Q., Zhou, Z., Xu, H., Chen, S., Xu, F., Fan, W., & Han, L. (2013). Dynamic Neural Network of Insight: A Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging Study on Solving Chinese ‘Chengyu’ Riddles. Plos ONE,  8(3), 1. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0059351

Continuously trying to become a better student is a constant and important lesson in both students of grade school and college today. Personally, I am always looking for the next best way to study so as to prevent that last minute cram and better my grades which will afford me greater opportunities. It is a wide and diverse market for study tools and new technology, but is there a “magic” recipe to better studying? It may not be out J.K. Rowling’s magical series but more based off our Psychology textbooks. When attempting to master studying and achieve greatness as a student while keeping factoids filed away for better future use there are basic strategies that incorporate encoding and surpass the quick fix study helps.

So you have decided to commit to being a better student? Great, the best bet to achieve this would to be reflect on Psychology’s principles on encoding information into long term memory. Long-term memory typically requires more effort but the results suggest that deeper processing of material leads to better memory (Nyberg, 2002). For example, last minute procrastination does not afford the time or “revisiting” needed to change from short term memory to long term. In order to effectively process in long-term memory you should elaborate the material, distribute the learning time, practice, and use visual imagery.

To elaborate on the curriculum you should contemplate on the subject matter, how it relates to real life or even yours, and in doing so you are creating more memories of your thoughts on the subject matter. Rather than last minute procrastination it is better to distribute the work load in smaller sessions since this forces the brain to revisit the topic and become more familiar with the subject matter. By practicing you ask your brain not only to recall more information but to use it. Visual imagery can come in a variety of mediums whether it be flash cards, flow chart, drawing concepts, or taking notes. By the act of visually seeing the information combined with the action of creating and writing it you are more likely to recall what you have physically written. According to a recent study done on graduate level online only students, note taking that is spontaneous in choice and detail oriented is more effective and help the student to retain knowledge (Watkins). This lends to support the act of physically transcribing and taking the time to do so will help you to remember the details.

While hard work seems to have always been a common adage for proper learning it is apparent that the work put into studying does not need to be hard, but only to be active, repetitive,  and by choice. Fortunately, through psychological science we are making everyday events, like studying, an even better quality and easier task. In result choosing better techniques to study will help you choose your grade.

Nyberg, L. (2002). Levels of processing: A view from functional brain imaging. Memory, 10(5-6), 345–348.

Watkins, R., Corry, M., Dardick, W., & Stella, J. (2015). NOTE-TAKING HABITS OF             ONLINE STUDENTS. Quarterly Review Of Distance Education, 16(3), 1-12.

Classical conditioning is a term of correlating one stimulus with a response and in doing so you have “conditioned” the person or animal to perform a desired reaction (Goldstein, 2015). This has long been a debatable and discussed topic as far as raising children is concerned. In fact, in a well-known experiment called “Little Albert,” a child was conditioned to change from being open to petting a rat to being scared at the sight of it (Goldstein, 2015). So what if for a moment we were to extend this debate even further to all relationships? What if by studying classical conditioning we could further understand the relationships of that of companies and coworkers? In doing so we may be proactive and not reactive to more appropriately conditioning associates to perform at a higher desired level with better responses that will ultimately translate into the bottom dollar savings for said company.

Many companies desire to have employees that not only work hard and appreciate the company but also exemplify it and grow with the company. Some may not even realize they are trained to use classical conditioning in their daily routine, but they are. By giving raises, time off, or gifts companies help to reward good behavior of employees and encourage them to seek better performance. Another consideration may be the negative stimulus that could be applied to employees. When an associate loses cash, has repeated late performance, or costs the company repair fee due to poor performance the company is then forced, once again, to use classical conditioning by firing or reprimanding this associate.

This sequence of events is a two way street and seems to condition the supervisors indirectly by drawing awareness and demanding it be greater through their actions. They are forced to not only be the individual controlling this “experiment” but also the participant in they are an independent variable.

Overall, companies desire positive results and are willing to condition persons under their employment to perform within their core values and policies to see this happen. By realizing the given best practices to help achieve these goals and properly training staff a company will benefit greatly. These benefits could help determine the future of the company, save in errors avoided, and help to have a lower turnover rate. Classical conditioning generally translates to positive results from positive employees.

References:

Goldstein, E. B. (2015).Cognitive Psychology: Connecting Mind, Research, and Everyday Experience (4th ed.). Stamford, CT: Cengage Learning.