By Alex BroganUpdated
We judge the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind, not on actual frequency. Dramatic, recent, or emotionally vivid events get massively overweighted.
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We judge the likelihood of events based on how easily examples come to mind, not on actual frequency. Dramatic, recent, or emotionally vivid events get massively overweighted.
To apply Availability Heuristic, identify situations where this framework is relevant, then use it as a lens to evaluate your options and decisions. The model is most useful when combined with other complementary mental models.
Availability Heuristic falls under the Psychology & Behavior category of mental models. Other models in this category can be found on the Psychology & Behavior hub page.
Availability Heuristic is important because it provides a structured way to think about problems that would otherwise be approached with intuition alone. Understanding this model helps you avoid common reasoning errors and make better decisions.
Availability Heuristic is discussed in the tradition of Kahneman & Tversky.
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58 business models, one visual page each: how the money flows, the metrics that matter, and who runs it. Free when you join the Faster Than Normal email.
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