Final answer:
The availability heuristic is the tendency to evaluate new information based on recent or easily recalled examples. It can lead people to overestimate the probability of certain events.
Step-by-step explanation:
The tendency to rely on easily accessed information as a proxy for the information you really need is known as the availability heuristic. This cognitive bias occurs when people evaluate new information based on the most recent or easily recalled examples, leading them to believe that these instances are more representative than they objectively are. For example, people may overestimate the probability of dying from violent crime or terrorism because these incidents are highly visible in the media, even though they are rare compared to other causes of death.