In cognitive psychology, mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that help solve problems and reduce mental effort are called:

• A. Algorithms
• B. Heuristics
• C. Scripts
• D. Schemas

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the key terms presented in the problem: Algorithms, Heuristics, Scripts, and Schemas, as they relate to cognitive psychology.
2. Recall that algorithms are step-by-step procedures that guarantee a solution but can be time-consuming and require more mental effort.
3. Recognize that heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making and problem-solving by reducing cognitive load, though they do not guarantee a correct solution.
4. Identify that scripts are organized knowledge about sequences of events in specific contexts, and schemas are mental frameworks that help organize and interpret information.
5. Conclude that the term describing mental shortcuts or rules of thumb used to solve problems efficiently is 'Heuristics'.