Which of the following describes a cognitive bias where the probability of an event is misjudged due to reliance on stereotypes?

The correct answer describes representativeness bias, which occurs when individuals evaluate the probability of an event based on the degree to which it is similar to a known category or prototype, often relying on stereotypes. This cognitive bias can lead to skewed judgments because people may ignore relevant base rates or statistical probabilities in favor of comparing a situation to their mental image of a typical example. For instance, if someone believes that all librarians are introverted based on a few encounters, they might incorrectly assess the likelihood that a new librarian they meet is also introverted, disregarding relevant information about personality diversity in that occupation.

This skewed judgment process highlights the tendency to make assumptions and predictions based on perceived similarities, rather than objective data. Recognizing representativeness bias is important in various contexts, including decision-making, hiring practices, and legal judgments, as it underscores the potential pitfalls of relying too heavily on stereotypes rather than comprehensive information.