Following the Sept. 11, 2001 Twins Towers attacks, many Americans elected to drive rather than fly: The media coverage of the hijackings caused Americans to overestimate the danger of flying. This example illustrates the ____________.
A) availability heuristic
B) representativeness heuristic
C) confirmation bias
D) stereotype bias

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut in which people rely on readily available information to make decisions. In this case, the media coverage of the terrorist attacks made the danger of flying more available in people's minds, leading them to overestimate the risk and choose to drive instead.