What is an example of the representativeness heuristic?

The representativeness heuristic refers to a mental shortcut people use to make judgments about the probability of an event based on how closely it resembles a typical case or a stereotype. In the context of choosing a car based solely on brand reputation, this reflects the idea that individuals might believe a certain brand represents quality, reliability, or prestige, which can lead them to assume that vehicles from that brand will perform similarly, regardless of actual specifications or features. This judgment is made based on the brand's established image rather than an objective assessment of the car being considered.

When someone relies primarily on brand reputation, they are essentially using their perception of the brand's typical characteristics to guide their decision. This aligns well with the representativeness heuristic, as it involves categorizing the car choice based on preconceived notions associated with the brand rather than examining the specific details of the vehicle.