beuristic

Heuristic refers to a practical approach to problem-solving or decision-making that employs a method not guaranteed to be optimal or perfect, but sufficient for the immediate goals. It is a strategy that can be learned or discovered, and it is used when finding an optimal solution is impossible or impractical. Heuristics are often mental shortcuts that allow individuals to make judgments and solve problems quickly and efficiently. They are particularly useful in situations where there is a lot of information, limited time, or uncertainty.

The term "heuristic" comes from the Greek word "heuriskein," meaning "to find" or "to discover." In cognitive psychology, heuristics are often contrasted with algorithms, which are step-by-step procedures that guarantee a correct solution if followed correctly. While algorithms are precise and exhaustive, heuristics are often based on intuition, experience, or general rules of thumb. Examples include trial and error, educated guessing, or simplifying a complex problem.

Heuristics can be very effective, but they can also lead to systematic errors in judgment, known as cognitive biases. For instance, the availability heuristic leads people to overestimate the likelihood of events that are easily recalled, while the representativeness heuristic leads people to judge the probability of an event based on how similar it is to a stereotype. Despite their potential pitfalls, heuristics are fundamental to human cognition and are employed in countless everyday decisions, from choosing a route to work to making complex strategic choices.