Availability vs. representativeness heuristic
After watching news coverage of a plane crash, a man concludes that flying is more dangerous than driving. This judgment reflects:
Answer B: explanation for every choice
A
The representativeness heuristic judges likelihood by how well something matches a prototype, often ignoring base rates.
B
Correct. He judges likelihood by how easily vivid examples come to mind.
C
Anchoring is relying too heavily on an initial number or piece of information.
D
Confirmation bias is seeking and favoring evidence that supports an existing belief.
TakeawayAvailability: how easily examples come to mind. Representativeness: how well it fits a prototype.
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Reviewed 2026-11-05 by a medical student. Spot an error? Report it with question ID ps35.