Final answer:
Kimberly's experience at the bookstore is an example of the substitution heuristic, a cognitive bias where simpler cues are substituted for complex judgments. This phenomenon is related to top-down processing and illustrates how expectations can lead to misjudgment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The scenario described, where Kimberly was influenced by a book's cover and later realized the content did not meet her expectations, is best described as an example of the cognitive bias known as the substitution heuristic. When facing a complex judgement, like determining the quality of a book, individuals often substitute the complex task with a simpler one. In Kimberly's case, the attractive cover was the simple cue she used to judge the entire book, leading to a mismatch between expectation and reality once she read it. This cognitive process illustrates how top-down processing and preconceptions can influence our decisions and evaluations.
Top-down processing occurs when our decisions are informed by previous experience and expectations. Cognitive biases, such as the substitution heuristic, affect how we interpret information and make judgements. These biases may lead to a sense of satisfaction even if the result is not correct or as expected, as seen in Kimberly's situation.