1

Psychology

Student’s name

Course title

Professor’s name

Date
 2

Question 1

Mental Set

As an individual, I have faced on of those particular impediments, that is mental set.

Basically, mental set refers to a context for reasoning about a trouble. An individual’s mental

set is normally influenced by habit or even a desire. Mental set refers to one’s tendency to

solely see resolutions which have been practical in their history (Dumper et al., 2022). Mental

set might help one in finding a solution to their worry. However, mental set can also be a

hindrance to problem solving, especially when gets attached to the wrong one. In my

encounters, mental set has helped me to find solutions to several problem.

Mental Set Utilization Scenario

At times, mental set can be useful to us when we are finding resolutions to our day to

day worries. We can utilize strategies which worked in the past and quickly develop

resolutions. In my daily studies, I normally use my computer for research and other projects.

During one of my evening studies, my computer froze for no reason. Nothing seemed to

work, and the cursor was not even showing up. Upon serious thinking, a past experience of

the same problem with my friend’s computer struck my mind. I remembered that upon

restarting his computer, it came back to normal. Therefore, I decided to attempt the same

solution in my case. To my surprise, after restarting my computer, it came back to normal and

I continued my studies. Mental set is what helped me figure out the solution to my frozen

computer.

How Mental Set as Impacted me

I usually use a vacuum cleaner when cleaning the carpets and furniture. One day in

my normal routine while using the Vacuum cleaner, it suddenly stopped working. Although I

hadn’t solved such a problem in the past, it was easy to notice that there was a broken belt.

Therefore, I hurriedly replaced the broken belt and the vacuum cleaner was up and running.
 3

After a while, while still using the same vacuum cleaner, it suddenly stopped working.

Through a series of research to figure out what the cause was, I was unable to get a single

clue. Therefore, since in the past a broken belt seemed the issue, I thought to myself that the

belt has broken again, and replaced it immediately. However, the vacuum cleaner continued

to malfunction. Afterwards, I called a friend to come and help me figure out what the

problem was. Upon search, the friend found out that there was a lose hose attachment, which

was the issue. Due to my mental set, I was unable to find a solution to a fairly simple issue.

Problem Solving Strategies

Mental set might make one stuck with past solutions which might not be practical at

that particular moment. Therefore, strategies to counteract the hindrance are necessary. Some

of the best strategies include trial and error, insight, and heuristics (Nezu, A. M. et al., 2014).

Trial and error

The trial and error method entails attempting and discovering various solution types

for a trouble and leaving out those that are not practical. Although it consumes a lot of time, it

is certain since various solutions are attempted until the best solution is established (Nezu, A.

M. et al., 2014). For instance, if you find out that your speaker remote has malfunctioned, you

might attempt removing its batteries, hitting its back, or replacing the batteries until it gets

back to normal.

Insight

Insight is normally helpful when the trouble seems similar to a one you have

experienced in the past. In my case, using this method will help me to overcome mental set.

Insight method works by suddenly bringing out solutions to a problem at a glance (Nezu, A.

M. et al., 2014). For instance, while using my computer and it freezes, a sudden insight might

come into mind on how to solve that particular issue.

 4

Heuristic

Heuristic method is based on practice and experience. Heuristic method consumes

less time compared to trial and error (Nezu, A. M. et al., 2014). Since mental set only dwells

on solutions that worked in the past, heuristic will be helpful in establishing the exact

problem based on experience and practice and only picking the solution that solves that

specific issue.

Question 2

The Impacts of using Internet to our Thinking and Intelligence

The internet is one of the technologies that is rapidly spreading across the globe.

Although its use results to positive impacts such as learning new skills, acquiring new

language, and staying informed on internal and world matters, research has established that

its risks outweigh the advantages (Small, G. W., Lee, J., Kaufman et al., 2020). Continuous

use of the internet results to reduced long term concentration, reduced ability to multitask,

impaired social and emotional intelligence, social isolation, and undesirable effects on brain

and cognitive development.

On language development, the use of internet has led to development of new terms,

like ‘bloggin’, and ‘txt-ing’. On that note, the availability of a variety of technologies and

internet applications has led to emergence of various language styles and increased the

expressive extent of language. Additionally, the internet has made it easy to document and

share some of the minority languages (University of Wales – Bangor, 2005). Via

technologies like email, minor language speakers get the chance to convince their distant

youths of the relevance of their language.

 5

Question 3

Effects of Alcohol on the Child’s Intellectual Ability

One of the birth disabilities related to alcohol is ‘Fetal Alcohol Syndrome’. In the

United States of America, ‘Fetal Alcohol Syndrome’ is the leading intellectual disability

cause (Texas Services, 2022). And, it is the sole birth disability which is utterly preventable.

When a pregnant lady consumes alcohol, the contents are fed to the baby via the placenta.

Children born with this disability may require a lot of expensive care and extensive attention

to realize their full capabilities. According to this lady, a little amount of alcohol may not

cause any harm to the baby. However, according to scholars, no amount of alcohol is safe to

the unborn baby. So, I would advise the lady to stop taking alcohol to safe her baby from this

avoidable monster.

Question 4

Major Eating Disorders

Eating disorders are illnesses influenced biologically by one’s eating habits. Some of

the most serious eating disorders are ‘binge-eating disorder’, bulimia nervosa, and anorexia

nervosa (Hauck, C., Cook et al., 2020).

Bulimia Nervosa

Bulimia nervosa refers to a condition that leads people to have an uncontrollable habit

of eating extremely large volumes of foods (Hauck, C., Cook et al., 2020). Their symptoms

are sore and inflamed throat, enflamed salivary glands around the jaw and the neck, ‘acid

reflux disorder’, extreme dehydration, and electrolyte imbalance.

Anorexia Nervosa

It is a condition which makes people to eat extremely small volumes of specific foods,

avoid food, or extremely restrict food (Hauck, C., Cook et al., 2020). Some of its signs
 6

include highly restricted food consumption, extreme fear to gain food, a persistent urge to

pursuit slimness, and emaciation.

Binge-eating Disorder

It is a state that leads one to have little to no control on the amount of food they eat. It

normally leads to recurring occurrences where one eats abnormally large food volumes. Since

this disorder does not have purging, fasting, or excessive exercise, these people are normally

obese and overweight (Hauck, C., Cook et al., 2020). Its signs include extreme food

consumption within short time spans, food consumption even when one does not need to,

frequent dieting, probably with no lose in weight, food consumption until one feels

uncomfortably full, and rapid food consumption during binge occurrences.

Four Ways for Youths Dieting and Weight Lose

A healthy dieting leads to a desirable body development. Among the many ways of

dieting and maintaining a healthy weight includes avoiding sugary foods and drinks, doing

physical exercises regularly, make sure to eat vegetables and fruits daily, and reduce the

amount of time you spent on watching and using the computers. Sugary foods such as sweets,

juice, and soda have more of calories than nutritional values. They can lead to overweight

when taken regularly (Gavin, 2021). And, regular exercise helps the body to burn excess

calories and build muscles, which makes one feel and look better, as well as reduce weight.

Moreover, people who spend a lot of their time watching or using computers are more likely

to gain extreme weight. It is advisable to switch off the screens an hour or so before sleep

time. Lastly, vegetables and fruits have plenty of minerals and vitamins required for health

development of the body.

 7

Question 5

Emotions

Emotions, even the negative ones, are important to us. Some of the functions of

emotions include driving our deeds, they carry wisdom, and are creators of flourishing.

Positive emotions include joy, happiness, and love (Quoidbach, J., Mikolajczak et al., 2015).

They are part of the ideal well-being of a person. Positive emotions are vital in attaining

psychological growth. Therefore, based on the importance of positive emotions, I would not

take the pill.

 8

References

Dumper, K., Perimutter, M., Lovett, M., Lacombe, A., & Jenkins, W. (2022). 7.3 Problem-

Solving – Introductory Psychology. Opentext.wsu.edu. Retrieved 29 March 2022,

from https://opentext.wsu.edu/psych105/chapter/7-4-problem-solving/.

Gavin, M. (2021). 5 Ways to Reach a Healthy Weight (for Teens) - Nemours KidsHealth.

Kidshealth.org. Retrieved 29 March 2022, from

https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/weight-tips.html.

Hauck, C., Cook, B., & Ellrott, T. (2020). Food addiction, eating addiction and eating

disorders. Proceedings of the Nutrition Society, 79(1), 103-112.

Nezu, A. M., & Nezu, C. M. (2014). Problem-solving strategies.

Quoidbach, J., Mikolajczak, M., & Gross, J. J. (2015). Positive interventions: An emotion

regulation perspective. Psychological bulletin, 141(3), 655.

Services, T. (2022). A closer look at Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (TARE). Dfps.state.tx.us.

Retrieved 29 March 2022, from

https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adoption_and_Foster_Care/About_Our_Children/

Disabilities/fetal_alcohol.asp.

Small, G. W., Lee, J., Kaufman, A., Jalil, J., Siddarth, P., Gaddipati, H., Moody, T. D., &

Bookheimer, S. Y. (2020). Brain health consequences of digital technology use.

Dialogues in clinical neuroscience, 22(2), 179–187.

https://doi.org/10.31887/DCNS.2020.22.2/gsmall

University Of Wales - Bangor. (2005, February 28). Language Development Via The

Internet. ScienceDaily. Retrieved March 29, 2022 from

www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/02/050223145155.htm
9