Heuristics

What does heuristics mean?

Heuristics is originally a Greek word that means “to find.” 

What are heuristics?

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that allow people to make judgements and solve problems in a quick and efficient manner. 

Why do we use heuristics?

Heuristics are very important when it come to problem-solving and decision-making. We often turn to heuristics when we need a quick solution. We rely on this mental strategy to simplify the problem or decision that needs to be made so we do not spend a vast amount of time analyzing the details. This being said, heuristics help us make decisions with ease, and avoids a great deal of agonizing. They also allow us to think through solutions and outcomes quickly, so we make the right choice. 

Examples of decisions we make on a daily basis that our heuristics help us with….

• What am I going to have for breakfast?
• What should I wear today?
• What font and type of graph should I use for my powerpoint presentation?
• Should I ride my bike or drive?

Are there types of heuristics?

Yes, there are several types but two of the most common are: representativeness and availability. 

Representativeness Heuristic: involves making a decision based on comparing the present situation to a mental prototype. 

Example: When you are trying to decide if someone is trustworthy, you might compare them to someone else you know, because they remind you of a certain someone. So one might automatically assume that an older lady they just met is sweet, kind, gentle, loving and trustworthy, because she reminds you of your grandmother. 

Availability Heuristic: involves making a decision based on how likely an occurrence is and how easy, and quickly it is recalled. 

Example: If you need to travel, and were thinking about flying because it is faster and more efficient, but than quickly recall a great amount of terrorist attacks and bombings, you might decide to drive instead.