Which concept refers to a mental shortcut developed from experience?

The concept that refers to a mental shortcut developed from experience is schema. Schemas are cognitive structures that help individuals organize and interpret information based on prior knowledge and experiences. They act as frameworks through which we understand the world, allowing us to make quick judgments and decisions without having to process every detail.

Schemas can influence how we perceive new information, often guiding our expectations and interpretations. For example, if you have a schema related to restaurant experiences, it may shape how you expect service to be and how you react in different restaurant settings. This concept reflects how our past experiences mold our understanding of future interactions.

The other concepts listed do not represent mental shortcuts derived from experiences in the same way. Inference involves forming conclusions based on evidence but does not specifically refer to a structured mental shortcut. A cognitive map is a mental representation of physical locations and environments, which serves a different purpose related to navigation rather than general processing of experiences. Genotype pertains to the genetic constitution of an individual, which does not relate to cognitive processing or shortcuts gained from experience.