The Difference Between the Representativeness Heuristic and the Availability Heuristic

question 57

Multiple Choice

The difference between the representativeness heuristic and the availability heuristic is that the representativeness heuristic assumes that ___,and the availability heuristic assumes that ___.

• A) we tend to look for information that supports our current beliefs; all members of a category are like the average of that category
• B) all members of a category share similar characteristics; events that are easy to bring to mind are more common
• C) our ability to make rational decisions is limited by things beyond our control; we use whatever information is available to evaluate our options
• D) we tend to view objects as having only one purpose or use; we tend to use whatever strategies have worked in the past

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Definitions:

Deviance

Behaviors or actions that deviate from societal norms or expectations, which can be formal (breaking laws) or informal (violating social norms).

Hysteria

An outdated term for a psychological disorder characterized by conversion of psychological stress into physical symptoms.

Melancholia

A severe form of depression with classic symptoms of despair, deep sadness, inability to find joy, and withdrawal.

Epilepsy

A neurological disorder marked by sudden recurrent episodes of sensory disturbance, loss of consciousness, or convulsions, associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain.