Final answer:
When no clear mode or rule is available, or data are unreliable, a person has exercised heuristic decision-making, a process of using simple rules for complex decisions. This is common in situations like voting, where decisions are made quickly based on accessible information rather than exhaustive research.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person who has made a successful decision when no obviously correct model or rule is available or when relevant data are unreliable or incomplete has exercised heuristic decision-making. This cognitive process involves substituting complex methods with simpler, practical rules that allow for faster decision-making. Heuristics are especially useful when there is too much information, limited time, when the decision is not critically important, or when there is very little information available.
Heuristic decision-making can be seen in various aspects of life, including voting decisions, where a voter may choose a candidate based on party affiliation rather than in-depth analysis of each candidate's qualifications. This approach contrasts with the traditional economic model, which assumes individuals make rational, well-informed decisions. However, research suggests that people often rely on heuristics, allowing them to make decisions in a more efficient manner, albeit potentially less 'rational' by economic standards.