Final answer:
Samantha's initial judgment about Brenda being Californian is based on a stereotype, which is an oversimplified generalization that doesn't account for individual differences.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Samantha swiftly deduces that Brenda is Californian based on her laidback attitude and long hair, she is relying on a cognitive shortcut known as a stereotype. Stereotypes are oversimplified generalizations about a group of people that do not take individual differences into account. It is important to recognize that while Brenda's characteristics might be associated with a certain image of Californians, not all individuals from California nor those with similar attributes fit this mold. Similarly, given the diverse attributes of people around the world, many English women who also share this laidback attitude and long hair do not fit within this narrow characterization. Samantha's initial judgment is, therefore, based on a stereotype rather than a fact-based understanding of Brenda's actual background.