When Nicole reads this report in the paper, she then overestimates the likelihood that people with mental disorders are unpredictable or bizarre. What cognitive "shortcut" does this example illustrate?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The example illustrates the availability heuristic, which is a cognitive shortcut in which people base their judgments on the most easily available and memorable information, rather than relying on more factual and objective data. In this case, Nicole's overestimation of the likelihood that people with mental disorders are unpredictable or bizarre is based on the vivid and sensationalized media coverage she read in the newspaper, rather than the more accurate and representative information available on the topic.

When Nicole Reads This Report in the Paper, She Then