Define and explain schemas and heuristics.

Schemas: Schemas are mental structures or frameworks that organize and interpret information about the world. Developed through experience, they guide the way individuals perceive, process, and remember new information. Schemas influence how people interpret situations, make decisions, and interact with their environment. For example, a person's schema for a "restaurant" includes expectations about the environment, menu, and typical behaviors, shaping their experiences and reactions in such settings.

Heuristics: Heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that individuals use to make quick decisions and solve problems efficiently. These cognitive shortcuts simplify complex tasks by reducing the amount of information and processing needed. While heuristics are often helpful in making fast decisions, they can lead to biases and errors because they rely on simplified information processing. Common heuristics include availability heuristic (relying on readily available information), representativeness heuristic (making judgments based on stereotypes), and anchoring and adjustment heuristic (relying too heavily on the first piece of information encountered).

In summary, schemas are cognitive frameworks organizing knowledge, while heuristics are mental shortcuts simplifying decision-making processes. Both play essential roles in how individuals understand and navigate the world, but they can also contribute to cognitive biases and errors.