Final answer:
The representative heuristic is a problem-solving strategy in psychology where individuals make judgments or decisions based on how closely an object or event matches a prototype or typical representation of that category.
Step-by-step explanation:
The representative heuristic is a problem-solving strategy in psychology where individuals make judgments or decisions based on how closely an object or event matches a prototype or typical representation of that category. It involves making assumptions or generalizations based on limited information or stereotypes. For example, if someone sees a person wearing a lab coat and glasses, they might assume that person is a scientist. This heuristic can be helpful in some situations, but it can also lead to errors in judgment when the prototype does not accurately represent the overall category.
For instance, if someone assumes that all scientists are introverted and socially awkward based on the stereotype, they might overlook highly sociable and outgoing scientists. It is important to recognize the limitations of this heuristic and consider additional information and evidence when making judgments or decisions.