Which type of bias involves relying on a false stereotype to make a decision?

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Representative bias is a cognitive shortcut where decisions are made by comparing a person or situation to existing stereotypes or prior beliefs. This reliance on perceived similarity often leads to flawed judgments, as other relevant statistical information, like base rates, is frequently ignored.

Representative Bias

Spielman, R. M., Jenkins, W. J., & Lovett, M. D. (2020, April 22). Psychology (2nd ed.). OpenStax. https://openstax.org/books/psychology-2e/pages/1-introduction

OpenStax Psychology (2nd ed.) Textbook

An example of representative bias is assuming that professors typically spend their leisure time on intellectual activities like reading, rather than engaging in sports or visiting amusement parks. This judgment is based on a stereotype of what a professor is like, rather than on actual evidence of their personal interests.

Professors' Hobbies as an Example of Representative Bias

Representative bias can be seen in a medical scenario where an urgent care nurse, influenced by the stereotype that heart attacks are more common in men, might be quicker to diagnose a heart attack in a male patient than in a female patient presenting with similar symptoms.

Nurse's Diagnosis as an Example of Representative Bias

A hiring manager reads a description of a job applicant: 'Quiet, organized, and enjoys reading.' The manager immediately assumes the applicant is better suited for a librarian position than a sales position. This conclusion is reached despite the manager knowing that there are vastly more salespeople than librarians in the workforce. Which statement best analyzes the cognitive shortcut leading to the manager's assumption?

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