If accurate judgments are our goal, we should use base rate information instead of the representativeness heuristic when __________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

When we lack specific information about a person, using base rate information is more reliable than the representativeness heuristic. The representativeness heuristic involves making judgments based on the similarity of a person to a prototype or stereotype, which can lead to errors. In contrast, using base rate information involves considering the frequency of a trait or behavior in a population, which provides a more accurate picture of the likelihood of that trait or behavior in the individual.

If Accurate Judgments Are Our Goal, We Should Use Base