Heuristic Bias

A Heuristic Bias is a cognitive bias that results from mental shortcuts used for quick decision-making under uncertainty conditions.

• AKA: Mental Shortcut Bias, Cognitive Heuristic Bias, Judgment Heuristic Bias.
• Context:
  • It can typically trade accuracy for processing speed in decision tasks.
  • It can typically emerge from evolutionary adaptations for survival advantage.
  • It can often lead to systematic errors in probability judgments.
  • It can often interact with emotional states to influence choice behavior.
  • It can range from being a Weak Heuristic Bias to being a Strong Heuristic Bias, depending on its influence magnitude.
  • It can range from being a Domain-Specific Heuristic Bias to being a Domain-General Heuristic Bias, depending on its application scope.
  • It can range from being a Adaptive Heuristic Bias to being a Maladaptive Heuristic Bias, depending on its outcome effect.
  • It can range from being a Conscious Heuristic Bias to being a Unconscious Heuristic Bias, depending on its awareness level.
  • ...
• Examples:
  • Availability-Based Heuristic Biases, such as:
    • Availability Heuristic Bias using recall ease.
    • Recency Bias favoring recent events.
  • Representativeness-Based Heuristic Biases, such as:
    • Representativeness Heuristic using similarity judgment.
    • Conjunction Fallacy violating probability laws.
  • Anchor-Based Heuristic Biases, such as:
    • Anchoring Bias using initial reference points.
    • Adjustment Bias with insufficient modification.
  • ...
• Counter-Examples:
  • Analytical Reasoning, which uses systematic analysis rather than mental shortcuts.
  • Statistical Thinking, which applies probability theory rather than intuitive judgment.
  • Deliberative Processing, which employs careful consideration rather than quick decisions.
• See: Availability Heuristic Bias, Cognitive Bias, Anchoring Bias, Confirmation Bias, Mental Shortcut, Decision Making Task, Judgment Under Uncertainty.

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