Question

Identify the strategy used in each of the following examples. Choose from: trial and error, algorithm, heuristic, insight, representativeness heuristic, availability heuristic, and single-feature model. As you try to spell the word deceive, you recite " before \(e\) except after \(c\)

Short answer

In the given example, the strategy used to spell the word "deceive" is a representativeness heuristic.

Step-by-step solution

Identify the Strategy

In the given example, the strategy used to spell the word "deceive" is a representativeness heuristic. This is because the rule "before \(e\) except after \(c\)" is a simple guideline (representing a pattern) that helps in remembering the correct spelling of words containing "ei" and "ie."

Key concepts

Representativeness Heuristic

In our cognitive toolkit, the representativeness heuristic is like a mental shortcut that helps us make decisions based on how much something resembles a typical case. It's a bit like when you're sorting laundry—you quickly identify each item based on its most obvious feature, like color or fabric type, and place it into the corresponding pile.

For example, the exercise mentions the classic spelling rule 'i before e except after c'. This rule is a prime instance of the representativeness heuristic at play. When faced with the task of spelling a tricky word like 'deceive', we recall this familiar guideline—a pattern that represents many instances—and apply it to our current dilemma. However, it's important to remember that the representativeness heuristic can sometimes lead us astray due to its reliance on perceived likenesses, particularly when dealing with exceptions to the rule or less typical cases.

Algorithm

Think of an algorithm as a recipe—each step is precise and leads you to a specific result, as long as you follow each instruction correctly. In problem-solving, algorithms provide a guaranteed solution to a particular problem through a series of methodical and logical steps. Unlike heuristics, they don't cut corners; they take you through a detailed process.

For instance, if you were trying to solve a difficult math equation, you would use an established mathematical algorithm to arrive at the correct answer. Even in something as mundane as searching for your missing keys, you could employ an algorithmic approach by systematically searching every area of your house where they could be. This process may be more time-consuming than using a heuristic, but it ensures that every possibility is considered, which makes it very effective in situations where accuracy is paramount.

Heuristic

A heuristic, on the other hand, is another type of mental shortcut, but it's more like a rule of thumb as opposed to a cut-and-dry formula. They are the intuitive, quick strategies that we often use to solve complex problems when we don't have the time (or the need) for a step-by-step approach.

Heuristics are what we use when we make a 'best guess', relying on past experiences and common sense. They're incredibly useful for making decisions under uncertainty and when speed is important. For example, if you were in a rush and needed to estimate the total cost of your groceries, you might round the price of each item to the nearest dollar and quickly add those figures up. This approach wouldn't give you an exact total but it would provide a reasonable estimate in a fraction of the time an algorithm would take.