Types of Heuristics Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is a heuristic?

A mental shortcut that helps us make decisions and judgments quickly without having to spend a lot of time researching and analyzing information.

What are the types of heuristics?

Availability, representativeness, and base-rate heuristics.

What does the availability heuristic help us with?

It helps us make a decision based on how easy it is to bring something to mind.

What is a problem associated with the availability heuristic?

We assume that if several examples are readily available, the event or subject matter is commonplace. Signup and view all the answers

In what situations is the availability heuristic useful and accurate?

In dangerous situations, where recalling similar past events can help in making cautious decisions. Signup and view all the answers

What is the representativeness heuristic?

A mental shortcut that helps us make a decision by comparing information to our mental prototypes. Signup and view all the answers

The representativeness heuristic always leads to accurate judgments.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the base-rate heuristic rely on?

It helps us make a decision based on probability. Signup and view all the answers

Give an example of using the base-rate heuristic.

Assuming a howling animal in the city is a dog instead of a wolf, due to the improbability of wolves being in urban areas. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Heuristic Overview

A heuristic is a mental shortcut that facilitates quick decision-making and judgments, eliminating the need for extensive research and analysis.

Types of Heuristics

Three primary types of heuristics: availability, representativeness, and base-rate.

Availability Heuristic

Makes decisions based on how easily examples come to mind; influenced by recent experiences and vivid memories.
It can lead to misconceptions about frequency, as more memorable events may seem more common than they are, e.g., misjudging the prevalence of violent crime based on media coverage.

Utility of Availability Heuristic

Useful in dangerous situations by promoting caution; recalling negative outcomes from similar past events helps enhance personal safety.

Representativeness Heuristic

Involves decisions based on mental prototypes; categorizing individuals by matching their traits to preconceived notions (e.g., considering a warm older woman as a grandmother).
This can save time and energy but may lead to snap judgments without thorough consideration.

Risks of Representativeness Heuristic

Often associated with stereotypes, resulting in biased assumptions about individuals based on general characteristics (e.g., assuming a skateboarder is trouble-prone).

Base-Rate Heuristic

Focuses on probability in decision-making; helps individuals assess likelihood based on statistical information.
Example: Hearing howling at night in a city likely leads one to assume it is a dog rather than an improbable wolf.

Summary of Heuristics

Heuristics are primarily beneficial for quick judgments but can lead to errors.
Availability heuristic highlights availability of memories; representativeness relies on stereotypes; base-rate emphasizes statistical likelihoods for informed decision-making.

Description

Explore the various types of heuristics with this flashcard quiz focusing on availability, representativeness, and base-rate heuristics. Each card presents essential terms and definitions to enhance your understanding of decision-making shortcuts. Ideal for psychology students looking to solidify their knowledge.