Heuristics are cognitive tools. They can be beneficial (good) or detrimental (bad) depending on how we use them. For example, when we have to make trivial decisions like choosing the ice cream flavor that we want to eat, the use of a heuristic device (e.g., familiarity heuristic) can be beneficial since it decreases the cognitive resources and time we use to make the decision. However, when we have to make a major life decision, for example buying a house, the use of a heuristic device can be detrimental since heuristics cannot ensure that our decision is the optimal decision.
