The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut that allows us to judge the likelihood of something based on how easily examples come to mind.
For instance, after seeing news reports about plane crashes, people may overestimate the risk of flying—even though crashes are rare. The vividness and recency of information make it feel more common.
This heuristic can be helpful for quick estimates, but it can also distort risk perception, influence stereotypes, and affect decision-making. Being aware of it encourages us to check facts instead of relying solely on memory or headlines.