The _____ is a rule we apply when we judge people by the degree to which they depict a certain category or group of people.
A) availability heuristic
B) representativeness heuristic
C) confirmation bias
D) stereotypic bias

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The representativeness heuristic is a mental shortcut that refers to the tendency to judge the likelihood of an event occurring based on how closely it resembles our existing mental prototype or stereotype of that category or group of people. For example, if someone is dressed in a suit and tie, they may be immediately judged as a successful businessperson without knowing any further information. This can lead to stereotypic bias, which is the tendency to overgeneralize and make assumptions about individuals based on their category or group membership. However, the availability heuristic (A) refers to the tendency to judge the frequency or probability of an event based on how easily examples of it come to mind, while confirmation bias (C) is the tendency to favor information that confirms our existing beliefs and ignore information that contradicts them.

The _____ Is a Rule We Apply When We Judge