Final answer:
The term refers to a 'stereotype,' which is a type of faulty heuristic where an individual hastily generalizes about others based on limited information. Such cognitive biases can lead to prejudice and are related to the concepts of hasty generalization and bandwagon fallacy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question involves a faulty heuristic, which is a mental shortcut that people use to make decisions or judgments quickly. The specific heuristic referred to in the question is likely the stereotype, where an individual assigns generalized attributes, often negative, to another person or group without sufficient evidence or based on superficial characteristics. This type of thinking is related to cognitive biases which can lead to prejudice and discrimination. As summarized in the provided content, stereotypes and prejudices can be reinforced by confirmation bias, meaning we tend to acknowledge only the evidence that supports our preconceived notions.
Hasty generalization is a related concept where a person makes a conclusion based on inadequate evidence. An example would be observing a small number of individuals and then generalizing that observation to a larger group ("Two students were nervous; therefore, all students must have test anxiety."). Another cognitive bias mentioned is the bandwagon fallacy, which entails adopting a belief or behavior because many others do the same, rather than relying on one's own independent analysis or the actual merit of the belief or behavior in question.