ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Heuristics

Heuristics are like shortcuts that our brains take when we are trying to make a decision or solve a problem.

Let's say you're trying to figure out which toy to play with. Instead of taking the time to carefully consider each option, your brain might use a heuristic and go with the first toy you see (the "availability heuristic"). This is kind of like when you reach for the closest snack in the pantry because it's the easiest option.

Another example of a heuristic is "anchoring." This means that your brain might rely too heavily on the first piece of information that you receive when making a decision. For example, if someone tells you that a toy costs $100, you might be more likely to think that other toys are expensive even if they actually aren't.

Overall, heuristics are a way for our brains to save time and energy when making decisions. But sometimes they can lead us to the wrong conclusion, so it's important to be aware of them and try to make more deliberate choices when we can.