Overview
The representative heuristic is a cognitive shortcut that helps individuals make quick judgments based on how closely something resembles a typical case. While it can simplify decision-making, it often leads to biases and errors, particularly when relying on stereotypes or prototypes. Understanding ...
Key Terms
Example: Using a rule of thumb to estimate costs.
Example: Confirmation bias leads people to favor information that confirms their existing beliefs.
Example: A golden retriever is a prototype of a dog.
Example: Making a judgment about a person's character based on their appearance.
Example: Assuming all teenagers are reckless drivers.
Example: Anchoring bias occurs when individuals rely too heavily on the first piece of information they encounter.
Related Topics
Cognitive Biases
Explore various cognitive biases that affect decision-making processes.
intermediateDecision Theory
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advancedBehavioral Economics
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advancedKey Concepts
mental shortcutsjudgmentstereotypesprobability