Psychologycalendar_todayLast updated: Apr 2026
What is Heuristics?
/hjʊˈrɪstɪks/
Mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that allow people to make quick decisions with limited information. Efficient but prone to systematic errors when applied in the wrong context.
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Everyday Example
"If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is" — that's a heuristic. It's a quick mental rule that saves time, but it can also make you miss genuine opportunities if applied too broadly.
publicReal-World Application
“Emergency room doctors use heuristics to triage patients rapidly. The "ABC" check (Airway, Breathing, Circulation) is a life-saving heuristic — a fast protocol that works in time-critical situations.”
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Did you know?
Herbert Simon coined the concept of "bounded rationality" in the 1950s, recognising that humans use satisficing heuristics (good enough) rather than optimising perfectly. He won the Nobel Prize in Economics in 1978.
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Key Insight
Heuristics are not bugs — they're features. The human brain processes 11 million bits of information per second but can only consciously handle about 50. Shortcuts are essential; the skill is knowing when not to use them.
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