What could be a consequence of relying solely on the anchoring heuristic?

Relying solely on the anchoring heuristic can lead to potentially skewed or biased decisions because this cognitive bias causes individuals to give disproportionate weight to the first piece of information they encounter (the "anchor") when making decisions. This initial information can unduly influence subsequent judgments and lead to a narrow focus, preventing alternative perspectives or options from being thoroughly evaluated. As a result, decisions may reflect the limitations of the initial anchor rather than a comprehensive analysis of all relevant factors, potentially leading to suboptimal outcomes. This skewing effect highlights the importance of critical thinking and the need to consider a wider array of information rather than being tethered to the first data point encountered.