Heuristics are described as what?

• A. A random guess
• B. A tactical shortcut, or stereotype
• C. A detailed algorithm
• D. A data-driven model

Answer: (B)

Heuristics are mental shortcuts that people use to make quick judgments when information is limited or time is short. They simplify decision making by relying on general rules of thumb or familiar patterns rather than a full, careful analysis. This makes them fast and efficient, but because they’re approximate, they can lead to biased or imperfect conclusions.

They’re not random guesses, and they’re not formal algorithms or data-driven models. Rather, they’re informal strategies drawn from experience that help you decide things quickly. Sometimes these shortcuts touch on stereotypes, in the sense of applying a generalized belief about a category to a specific situation, which is why they can work well in familiar contexts but misfire in others.