Question

learning objective: explain how making judgments factors into decision making.

a flaw with a heuristic approach to problem solving is that it __________.

a.) is not time efficient
b.) may rely on or result in bias
c.) requires maximum mental effort
d.) rarely results in a decision

Explanation:

Define heuristics and their purpose

Heuristics are mental shortcuts or "rules of thumb" used to make decisions and solve problems quickly and efficiently.

Identify the trade-offs of heuristics

While heuristics save time and cognitive energy, they do not guarantee a correct solution and frequently lead to systematic errors or cognitive biases.

Evaluate the given options

• Option (a) is incorrect because heuristics are highly time-efficient.
• Option (b) is correct because relying on shortcuts often introduces cognitive biases.
• Option (c) is incorrect because heuristics minimize mental effort rather than requiring maximum effort.
• Option (d) is incorrect because heuristics are designed to lead to quick decisions.

Answer:

• a.) is not time efficient
• b.) may rely on or result in bias (Correct answer)
• c.) requires maximum mental effort
• d.) rarely results in a decision