Heuristic

A heuristic is a practical, mental shortcut or rule of thumb that people use to make decisions or solve problems more quickly and efficiently. Instead of exhaustively analyzing every detail, heuristics rely on experience, intuition, or simple principles to reach a satisfactory answer. While they often save time and cognitive effort, they can sometimes lead to errors or biases. Common examples include using past experiences to judge current situations or relying on familiar cues to make choices. Overall, heuristics are valuable tools for everyday decision-making but should be applied carefully to avoid mistakes.