Public Policymaking, Heuristics, and Policy Outcomes
Dr. Robert T Dauphin

Abstract
Public Policymakers are sometimes overwhelmed with significant and insignificant public policy decisions. Understanding how policymakers arrive at their choices is an intellectual process that has received attention. Researchers have developed theories to explain how policymakers make public policy decisions, and some of the factors that influence present and future policymaking process. Thus, there have been studies on heuristics to better understand the policymaking process. Certain factors influence public policymaking. These factors, including historical experiences (Juliusson, Karlsson, & Gӓrling, 2005), intellectual prejudices (Stanovich & West, 2008), stage of development and individual norms (Bruin, Parker, & Fischoff, 2007), level of self-confidence (Acevedo, & Krueger, 2004), and an increase in commitment, these factors influence the choices policymakers make. Understanding these factors is vital to understanding how public policy decisions are made. Specifically, factors that influence the policymaking process may impact the outcomes.

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