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Embodied Heuristics.

Gerd Gigerenzer1

  • 1Max Planck Institute for Human Development, Berlin, Germany.

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|December 3, 2021
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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces embodied heuristics, which are rules of thumb that use sensory and motor skills for better decision-making in uncertain environments. The gaze heuristic is a key example, applied across species and even in rocket technology.

Keywords:
adaptive toolboxbounded rationalityembodied heuristicsgaze heuristicinterception problemssensorimotor abilities

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Area of Science:

  • Cognitive Science
  • Evolutionary Biology
  • Robotics

Background:

  • Intelligence evolved to manage uncertainty from nature, predators, and social interactions.
  • Heuristics provide swift decision-making strategies with limited information.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Introduce the concept of embodied heuristics.
  • Explore how sensory and motor abilities facilitate decision-making.
  • Examine the gaze heuristic as a case study.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual introduction of embodied heuristics.
  • Case study analysis of the gaze heuristic.
  • Exploration of exaptation and cross-species adaptation.

Main Results:

  • Embodied heuristics exploit evolved sensorimotor abilities for superior decisions.
  • The gaze heuristic effectively solves coordination problems in diverse contexts.
  • This heuristic has been adapted by various species and applied in technology.

Conclusions:

  • Embodied heuristics offer a framework for understanding situated cognition.
  • The study of embodied heuristics can advance research in embodied bounded rationality.
  • The gaze heuristic exemplifies exaptation and broad applicability.