In cognitive psychology, what is the availability heuristic?

• A. A process of systematically evaluating all possible solutions before making a decision
• B. A mental shortcut in which people estimate the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples come to mind
• C. A tendency to seek out information that confirms one's preexisting beliefs
• D. A strategy where people rely on the first piece of information encountered when making decisions

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand that the availability heuristic is a concept in cognitive psychology related to decision-making and judgment.
2. Step 2: Recognize that heuristics are mental shortcuts or rules of thumb that simplify decision-making processes.
3. Step 3: Identify that the availability heuristic specifically involves estimating the likelihood or frequency of an event based on how easily examples or instances of that event come to mind.
4. Step 4: Differentiate the availability heuristic from other cognitive biases or strategies, such as confirmation bias (seeking information that confirms beliefs) or anchoring (relying on the first piece of information).
5. Step 5: Conclude that the availability heuristic is best described as a mental shortcut where people judge the probability of events by the ease with which relevant examples are recalled.