Suppose you are telling your friend about a woman you just met.You tell your friend that this person seemed very compassionate and was interested in helping others;however,you couldn't recall whether she said she was a nurse or a businesswoman.On the basis of the ________ heuristic,your friend would probably think that she is a ________.

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The representativeness heuristic is a mental shortcut that helps us make a decision by comparing information to our mental prototypes. Given the description of the woman as compassionate and interested in helping others, your friend is likely to use the representativeness heuristic to associate these traits with the profession of nursing rather than business, as nursing is stereotypically associated with care and compassion.

Suppose You Are Telling Your Friend About a Woman You