Which concept refers to a habitual way of approaching problems that has worked in the past?

The concept of a habitual way of approaching problems that has proven effective in the past is accurately identified as a mental set. A mental set refers to the tendency to rely on established solutions or strategies when confronted with new situations, even if those strategies may not be the most effective in the current context. This cognitive framework can be beneficial since it allows individuals to quickly solve problems based on prior knowledge and experiences, but it can also become a limitation if the situation requires a novel approach.

In contrast, the framing effect involves how different presentations of the same information can influence decision-making. The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut that relies on immediate examples that come to mind when evaluating a specific topic or decision. Lastly, convergent thinking focuses on finding a single, correct solution to a problem, emphasizing logical reasoning and the application of established methods. Mental set stands out as the concept most aligned with habitual problem-solving strategies derived from past experiences.