Final answer:
Attribute substitution occurs when individuals use readily accessible information, which is most prominent or easily recalled, in place of unavailable data to make a judgment or decision. For example, one might estimate the risk of flying based on vivid memories of plane crashes rather than actual frequency data.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student's question pertains to a concept in cognitive psychology known as attribute substitution. This concept suggests that when faced with a challenging judgment or decision where relevant information (like frequency) is not available, people will substitute a simpler solution or heuristic. In this context, the answer to the question would be that people tend to use the information that is most accessible in memory. This means they rely on information that is most easily retrieved, which often happens to be recent, vivid, or emotionally charged information, because it stands out more prominently in one's memory.
For example, when trying to assess the risk of flying, a person might not have statistical frequency information about plane crashes at their disposal. Thus, instead of seeking out this data, which might be time-consuming or difficult to find, they might rely on a recent news report about a plane crash that they remember vividly, leading them to overestimate the danger of flying.