Heuristics in Judgment and Decision-Making

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that help individuals make quick decisions and judgments without extensive information or analysis. They simplify complex problems by focusing on the most relevant aspects, making it easier to arrive at conclusions. For example, if you need to decide which restaurant to choose, you might rely on recommendations from friends rather than evaluating every option. While heuristics can lead to faster decisions, they can also result in biases or errors, as they may overlook important details or lead to overgeneralizations based on limited information. Understanding heuristics helps us improve our decision-making skills.