The availability heuristic is a rule of thumb in which ____.
A)stimuli similar to a prototype are believed to be more likely than stimuli that are dissimilar to a prototype
B)a higher value is placed on the more easily recognized alternative
C)the frequency of an event's occurrence is predicted by the ease with which the event is brought to mind
D)people choose between alternatives based on emotional or "gut" reactions to stimuli

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut in which individuals predict the frequency of an event based on the ease in which the event can be brought to mind. Therefore, option C fits the definition of the availability heuristic. Options A and B are related to other cognitive biases, such as the prototype heuristic and the recognition heuristic, respectively. Option D describes the affect heuristic, which is another distinct cognitive bias.

The Availability Heuristic Is a Rule of Thumb in Which