Rueben is in a biology class and the professor tells the students to find a lab partner. Rueben immediately approaches an Asian classmate because Rueben believes that all Asian students are naturally gifted in mathematics and science. Ruben's mental shortcut is an example of a(n) .

Stereotype.

Explanation:

This is simply explained to be a form or a gesture that is described to be a generalization towards a group of people or even a race or culture.

This was seen to have started between man many decades ago and is still in existence.

It is been noticed that some systems easily characterize some beliefs in malleability and dynamism which are seen to be much less conducive to stereotyping. It is also seen that a lot of them with malleability beliefs, stereotyping holds little cognitive appeal and information that violates stereotypes becomes more attractive.