Heuristics and Biases Theory

Heuristics and Biases Theory explains how people often use mental shortcuts, called heuristics, to make decisions quickly. While these shortcuts can be helpful, they sometimes lead to errors, or biases, in judgment. For example, someone might assume something is true because it’s familiar (availability bias) or stick to a prior belief even when presented with new evidence (confirmation bias). Recognizing these patterns helps us understand why we sometimes make irrational choices and can improve decision-making by encouraging more careful, deliberate thinking.