More people seem to fear a snake bite than a dog bite, and yet statistically one is more likely to be bitten by a dog than by a snake. This is because people tend to estimate the probability of an outcome based on how easy the outcome is to imagine. This represents which of the following cognitive biases?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The given scenario represents the availability error, which occurs when people estimate the likelihood of an outcome based on how easily examples of that outcome come to mind. In this case, the fear of snake bites is more salient in people's minds due to their vivid and memorable portrayal in media and popular culture, even though the statistical likelihood of a dog bite is higher.

More People Seem to Fear a Snake Bite Than a Dog