Cognitive shortcuts that influence the way people process information regarding groups and group members are defined as

a. Stereotypes

b. Prejudices

c. Ethnocentrism

d. Agentics

a. Stereotypes

Explanation:

Stereotypes -

In term of social psychology, it is the over - established thinking of specific category of people, living in the society, is referred to as stereotypes.

It is referred to as the thinking and belief of some particular people.

The peoples are generalized and are assumed to follow in that specific manner.

Hence, from the given statement of the question, the correct term from the given options is stereotypes.