Availability Heuristic
Version 1.0.0 · Updated 2026-07-30
CORE DEFINITION
People estimate the probability of events based on examples that are easily retrieved from memory (such as recent, vivid, or emotionally charged events). For example, after seeing news of a plane crash, one might feel that flying is dangerous.
SCAFFOLDING EFFECT
Reduce cognitive load
Memory bias. Media coverage tends to favor "abnormal events" (dog bites man is not news), which distorts our worldview through availability. Before making decisions, check statistical data rather than relying on impressions from memory.
Anchor fast decisions
People use "ease of retrieval from memory" as a proxy for "true frequency." Vivid, recent, and emotionally charged examples are more easily retrieved and thus overestimated; mundane but common events are underestimated. This is a heuristic bias where availability substitutes for the true base rate.
MINIMUM ACTION
In progress 0/5Practice this model in one real situation:
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Source support: Explicit
- en.wikipedia.orghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Availability_heuristicverified
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