There have been a number of reports in the news about the Avian Flu, including reports of a number of deaths. Other forms of flu kill many more people every year, but many people state that the Avian Flu is much more dangerous. Which of the following is likely responsible for this overestimation of the danger of Avian Flu?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The overestimation of the danger of Avian Flu is likely due to the availability heuristic, where people base their estimation of how likely or dangerous something is based on how easily examples of it come to mind. The media often reports on cases of Avian Flu due to its novelty and potential seriousness, leading people to believe it is more dangerous than other more common types of flu.

There Have Been a Number of Reports in the News