True or False? All members' impressions come from heuristics.

• A. TRUE
• B. FALSE
• C. Only sometimes
• D. Not specified

Answer: (B)

Impression formation uses both quick mental shortcuts and more careful evaluation. Heuristics are those fast rules of thumb that help us judge someone or something with little effort, but they’re not the only path to forming an impression. People can also base their judgments on direct observations, concrete evidence, and deliberate analysis of behavior, qualities, or context. For example, noticing someone consistently meets deadlines and communicates clearly provides impression data from actual behavior, not just a shortcut interpretation. Because impressions can arise from observation and reasoned processing as well as from heuristics, the statement that all members’ impressions come from heuristics isn’t accurate.