Heuristics and Biases (academic paper)

Heuristics are mental shortcuts our brain uses to make quick decisions, while biases are tendencies that skew our judgment based on these shortcuts. These processes help us function efficiently but can lead to errors or distorted reasoning. For example, we might rely on past experiences (heuristics) to judge a new situation, which can result in biases like overconfidence or stereotyping. Recognizing these patterns is important because they influence everyday choices and can impact areas like decision-making, problem-solving, and scientific judgment, highlighting the balance between mental efficiency and accuracy in human cognition.