Avoiding Lightning Strikes on the Golf Course

Heuristic bias is a type of decision-making approach that involves making quick decisions based on limited information. In the scenario described, the person decides not to play golf to avoid being struck by lightning after seeing a news story about an incident that happened to someone else.

When someone uses a heuristic approach to decision-making, they rely on general rules of thumb or past experiences to guide their choices. In this case, the person is assuming that if they avoid playing golf, they will reduce the risk of being struck by lightning, even though the likelihood of it happening is actually very low.

It's important to note that heuristic thinking can sometimes lead to irrational decisions due to the oversimplification of complex situations. While heuristics can be useful for making quick decisions in certain circumstances, they can also result in errors in judgement. In this case, the person's decision to avoid playing golf may not be based on a full understanding of the risks involved.

Overall, heuristic bias is just one of the many cognitive biases that can influence decision-making. By being aware of these biases and taking the time to gather more information and consider all factors before making a decision, we can help to mitigate the potential negative effects of heuristic thinking.