The tendency to perceive and approach problems in the same ways that have worked in the past is called

The correct answer is mental set.
In psychology, when we say 'mental set,' we mean a set of behaviors and solutions to particular problems that have worked before for us. So, when we are faced with a new problem, we will try to use the solutions that we have previously successfully used in the past, and those solutions are part of our mental set. Instead of trying to find new solutions, we will rather resort to those we have already tested.