Heurisztikákra

Heurisztikákra, or heuristics, are problem-solving methods that employ a practical approach to discover an approximate solution. They are not guaranteed to be optimal or even correct, but are often used when finding an exact solution is impossible or impractical. Heuristics are shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify complex problems, making them more manageable. They are frequently employed in artificial intelligence, cognitive psychology, and everyday decision-making.

In computer science, heuristics are often used in search algorithms. For instance, in pathfinding, a heuristic might estimate the distance to a target destination, guiding the search in a promising direction. While this doesn't guarantee the shortest path will be found, it can significantly speed up the search process. Similarly, in machine learning, heuristics can be used to train models more efficiently.

Cognitive psychology studies how humans use heuristics in their own thinking. These mental shortcuts can lead to quick judgments but can also result in systematic errors known as cognitive biases. Examples include the availability heuristic, where people overestimate the likelihood of events that are easily recalled, or the representativeness heuristic, where people judge probabilities based on how well something matches a stereotype. Understanding heuristics is crucial for comprehending human decision-making processes and for designing more effective problem-solving strategies.