When individuals use past experiences as a basis for comparison in new situations, what heuristic are they utilizing?

The correct choice is the representativeness heuristic, which involves making judgments about the probability of an event or the characteristics of a person or situation based on how similar it is to a past experience or category. When individuals encounter new situations, they often rely on past experiences to compare and evaluate the current context, leading them to form conclusions based on patterns they have previously observed. This cognitive shortcut can be useful for quick decision-making, as it draws on relevant examples or stereotypes.

The other heuristics address different decision-making processes. The availability heuristic refers to estimating the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind, which can lead to biases if certain experiences are more memorable than others. The confirmation heuristic involves seeking out information that confirms pre-existing beliefs or opinions rather than considering all evidence impartially. The projection heuristic is when individuals assume that others share their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, which can skew understanding of differing perspectives. Each of these heuristics plays a distinct role in the way people process information and make decisions, but the representativeness heuristic specifically pertains to using past experiences for current comparisons.