Final answer:
The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias where judgments are based on readily recalled information, leading to potentially skewed perceptions and decisions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct description of the availability heuristic is (d) it is the phenomenon whereby you make a judgment based on information accessible to you. This cognitive bias occurs when individuals evaluate the probability of an event or the frequency of a class based on how easily instances or occurrences can be recalled from memory. When we remember something quickly, such as a striking news story about a rare but dramatic event, the availability heuristic may lead us to overestimate the likelihood of that event, despite it being statistically unlikely.
Using the availability heuristic can result in skewed perceptions because we give undue weight to recent, dramatic, or easily recalled information. This can lead to poor decision-making, where we might focus on vivid stories from the media like violent crime or terrorism and underemphasize common but less sensational causes of harm like car accidents or chronic diseases.