While traveling in a foreign country you are approached by a group of strangers and have to quickly surmise their intentions. you will likely use a set of quick and simple mental shortcuts to accomplish this task. these shortcuts are called:

The quick and simple mental shortcuts are called heuristics.

Explanation:

Heuristics are often self-devised as a short plan to deal with the situation in a limited time by applying the knowledge that you already have or by securing it as the situation approaches. Heuristics abilities are clearly subject to wit and presence of mind as they are concerned with the art of grasping the best possible knowledge about something with the least possible resources at hands.