Final answer:
Karen used a d. compensatory decision rule to purchase a laptop, accepting a heavier weight in exchange for a better screen.
Step-by-step explanation:
Karen made her purchase decision using a compensatory decision rule. This decision-making process involves evaluating various attributes of the available options where a higher level of one attribute can compensate for a lower level of another. In Karen's case, the greater benefit of having a bigger, clearer screen offset the downside of the laptop being slightly heavier, reflecting a trade-off where the positive attributes compensated for the negative ones.
The decision-making process described in the question is an example of a cognitive decision rule. In this case, Karen considered the weight of the laptop as a factor in her purchase decision, but ultimately prioritized the bigger, clearer screen over the weight. This decision-making process involves evaluating multiple factors and making a trade-off between them.