Bias

A bias is a tendency. By far, most biases are helpful most of the time, like preferring to eat food instead of paper clips, or assuming someone on fire is in trouble and should be put out. Cognitive shortcuts can cause problems when we're not aware of them and we apply them inappropriately, leading to rash decisions or discriminatory practices (based on, say, racism and sexism). Relying on biases but keeping them in check requires a delicate balance of self-awareness.