Illustrative shopper: Mira assumes a product must be good solely because its package displays an impressive-looking seal she has not checked. What is the main shortcut risk?

Answer & explanation

A salient cue substitutes for evaluating relevant evidence.

Cues can save effort when they track useful evidence. An unchecked or misleading cue can instead direct a judgment without supporting it. The hypothetical seal does not establish the product's quality either way.