Heuristics
noun
A method of solving problems quickly. It does not guarantee the best solution, but often leads to a good solution quickly.
She used her travel experiences as a heuristic to decide the best route for the trip.
Often appears as...
- use a heuristic
- heuristic approach
noun
In computer science, a set of rules programmed into a computer to help it solve problems or make decisions.
The heuristic algorithm can recognize patterns and make predictions based on past data.
Often appears as...
- heuristic algorithm
- heuristic search
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A rule or method that helps you solve problems faster, especially useful when making quick decisions or when a perfect solution is not necessary.
Psychologists study the heuristics that people commonly use when making decisions.
Often appears as...
- cognitive heuristic
- heuristic judgement
Usage tips
Academic
noun
A method of solving problems quickly. It does not guarantee the best solution, but often leads to a good solution quickly.
She used her travel experiences as a heuristic to decide the best route for the trip.
Often appears as...
- use a heuristic
- heuristic approach
noun
In computer science, a set of rules programmed into a computer to help it solve problems or make decisions.
The heuristic algorithm can recognize patterns and make predictions based on past data.
Often appears as...
- heuristic algorithm
- heuristic search
Usage tips
Technical
noun
A rule or method that helps you solve problems faster, especially useful when making quick decisions or when a perfect solution is not necessary.
Psychologists study the heuristics that people commonly use when making decisions.
Often appears as...
- cognitive heuristic
- heuristic judgement
Usage tips
Academic
Definition 1 of 3
Pro Tip 1/3Problem-Solving
Heuristics offer a practical way to find fast solutions when timed perfection doesn't count.
In a quiz, sometimes using heuristics helps you choose an answer when you're unsure.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Perfect
Heuristics can lead to errors; they are quick shortcuts, not foolproof methods.
Her heuristic to always choose the least costly option led to a poor purchase.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Language
The term 'heuristic' is not limited to experts; it's used in everyday language too.
I don't know the city, but my heuristic is to follow the crowd to the main attractions.
Pro Tip 1/3Problem-Solving
Heuristics offer a practical way to find fast solutions when timed perfection doesn't count.
In a quiz, sometimes using heuristics helps you choose an answer when you're unsure.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Perfect
Heuristics can lead to errors; they are quick shortcuts, not foolproof methods.
Her heuristic to always choose the least costly option led to a poor purchase.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Language
The term 'heuristic' is not limited to experts; it's used in everyday language too.
I don't know the city, but my heuristic is to follow the crowd to the main attractions.
Pro Tip 1/3Problem-Solving
Heuristics offer a practical way to find fast solutions when timed perfection doesn't count.
In a quiz, sometimes using heuristics helps you choose an answer when you're unsure.
Pro Tip 2/3Not Always Perfect
Heuristics can lead to errors; they are quick shortcuts, not foolproof methods.
Her heuristic to always choose the least costly option led to a poor purchase.
Pro Tip 3/3Common Language
The term 'heuristic' is not limited to experts; it's used in everyday language too.
I don't know the city, but my heuristic is to follow the crowd to the main attractions.
Never forget "Heuristics"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Video examples
The psychology behind...
and it's often used in marketing and negotiations to raise the prices that people are willing to pay. So, if heuristics lead to all these wrong decisions, why do we even have them? Well, because they can be quite effective. For most of human history,
Video examples
Why you should love...
so we revert to our own heuristics, our own biases about how many people we think own their own homes. Now the truth is, when we published this quiz, the census data that it's based on was already a few years old.
Video examples
The psychology behind...
and it's often used in marketing and negotiations to raise the prices that people are willing to pay. So, if heuristics lead to all these wrong decisions, why do we even have them? Well, because they can be quite effective. For most of human history,
Video examples
Why you should love...
so we revert to our own heuristics, our own biases about how many people we think own their own homes. Now the truth is, when we published this quiz, the census data that it's based on was already a few years old.
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Eliezer Yudkowsky
American Writer
The systematic experimental study of reproducible errors of human reasoning, and what these errors reveal about underlying mental processes, is known as the heuristics and biases program in cognitive psychology. This program has made discoveries highly relevant to assessors of global catastrophic risks.
Quote examples
John W. Thompson
American Businessman
While there have been terrific advances in the state of technology around heuristics, behavior blocking, and things like that, technology is only a part of the approach to solving the problem with the more important aspect involving putting the right process in place.
Quote examples
Daniel Kahneman
Israeli Psychologist
By their very nature, heuristic shortcuts will produce biases, and that is true for both humans and artificial intelligence, but the heuristics of AI are not necessarily the human ones.
Quote examples
Jaan Tallinn
Estonian Businessman
Your evolutionary heuristics come back to the idea of a future roughly similar to what it is now. You give to the community as it is now, to benefit a similar community in the future.
Quote examples
Eliezer Yudkowsky
American Writer
The systematic experimental study of reproducible errors of human reasoning, and what these errors reveal about underlying mental processes, is known as the heuristics and biases program in cognitive psychology. This program has made discoveries highly relevant to assessors of global catastrophic risks.
Quote examples
John W. Thompson
American Businessman
While there have been terrific advances in the state of technology around heuristics, behavior blocking, and things like that, technology is only a part of the approach to solving the problem with the more important aspect involving putting the right process in place.
Quote examples
Daniel Kahneman
Israeli Psychologist
By their very nature, heuristic shortcuts will produce biases, and that is true for both humans and artificial intelligence, but the heuristics of AI are not necessarily the human ones.
Quote examples
Jaan Tallinn
Estonian Businessman
Your evolutionary heuristics come back to the idea of a future roughly similar to what it is now. You give to the community as it is now, to benefit a similar community in the future.
Example 1 of 4
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension