Final answer:
The availability heuristic leads us to estimate the likelihood of events by c) relying on immediate examples that come to mind, which can skew our perception of their frequency due to the memorability of recent or dramatic instances.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to the availability heuristic, we often estimate the frequency of an event by c) relying on immediate examples that come to mind. This cognitive process is where we assess the likelihood of an event based on how easily examples of that event can be recalled, rather than based on objective statistical data. The availability heuristic can often lead to erroneous judgments because the examples that come to mind are typically those that are recent, dramatic, or emotionally charged, rather than those that are most representative of the actual statistical probability.
Common trends like overestimating the frequency of dramatic events such as violent crimes or terrorist attacks can be attributed to the availability heuristic, as these types of events are more likely to be reported in the media and therefore are more available in our memory. As a result, when making decisions or judgments, individuals might give undue weight to this misleading information, thinking that these events are more common than they actually are.