Some people hold stereotypes about other groups of people. When asked why they believe in those stereotypes, they describe a few people they remember well who fit the stereotypes and ignore other people who do not fit the stereotypes. What error of thinking are they making?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The individuals in question are making use of the availability heuristic, where they rely on the most easily available and memorable examples to inform their thinking and decision making. This can lead to a biased and incomplete perspective that is heavily influenced by limited experiences and cognitive shortcuts.

Some People Hold Stereotypes About Other Groups of People