Final answer:
Heuristics are simple thinking strategies used for efficient problem-solving, often operating on an unconscious level and contrasting with effortful, analytic intelligence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Simple thinking strategies that are used to solve problems and make judgments quickly and efficiently are referred to as heuristics. Heuristics are mental shortcuts - also known as 'rules of thumb' - which we apply to a range of cognitive tasks, including problem-solving and decision making. These cognitive tools allow for the simplification of complex problems, making them more manageable.
Examples of heuristics include the availability heuristic, which involves making decisions based on readily available information, or the anchoring bias, where one aspect of a problem is unduly focused on to find a solution. Heuristics operate largely on an unconscious level, proving to be automated, effortless, and efficient. They contrast with more energy-demanding, effortful thinking required for analytical intelligence, which is often necessary for tasks such as mathematical problem-solving, where precise and rational computation is needed.