Final answer:
The availability heuristic is a cognitive bias where the frequency or probability of events is overestimated based on the ease with which instances can be recalled, often leading to skewed perceptions of reality. the correct option is b) Availability heuristic.
Step-by-step explanation:
how readily instances come to mind:
The tendency to judge the likelihood of an event based on how easily instances come to mind is called the availability heuristic. This cognitive bias leads individuals to overestimate the frequency or probability of events based on how memorable or vivid the instances are. For example, intense media coverage of plane crashes can lead people to overestimate the risk of air travel, even though statistically it is very safe.
The confirmation bias refers to the tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preconceptions, leading to statistical errors. Anchoring and adjustment describe an initial reference point ('anchor') that influences subsequent judgments about value or probability. The representativeness heuristic involves judging probabilities based on how much one thing resembles another or fits into a specific category, often leading to errors in judgment.