heuristic (noun) - a mental shortcut or rule applied to quickly solve a problem or make a decision [hyoo-ris-tik]
BREAKDOWN: HEUR- (to find) + -ISTIC (pertaining to)
heuristic as an adjective means serving as a strategy for problem-solving or processing information
heuristics refers to the larger practice of strategic problem solving
“The scientist’s behavior while facing the refutation of his ideas has been studied in depth as part of the so-called attribution bias. You attribute your successes to skills, but your failures to randomness... Why? It is a human heuristic that makes us actually believe so in order not to kill our self-esteem and keep us going against adversity.” —Nassim Nicholas Taleb
[Fun Word Friday introduces more advanced or technical words that are based on word roots. Yes, these words may still be tested on standardized exams. Try to use this word in a sentence today!]