One such general theory (so general, in fact, it is perhaps best considered a metatheory) is the representativeness heuristic discussed in Chapter 2. According to this overarching belief, effects should resemble their causes, instances should resemble the categories of which they are members, and, more generally, like belongs with like. In the realm of health, this results in the belief that the symptoms of a disease ought to resemble or in some way suggest its cause. Similarly, the symptoms of a disease ought to resemble or in some way suggest its cure.
Representativeness as a meta-theory.
