Which of the following describes the primary function of the availability heuristic?

The primary function of the availability heuristic is to form decisions based on recent experiences. This cognitive shortcut involves individuals estimating the likelihood or frequency of an event based on how easily examples come to mind. When people rely on the availability heuristic, they may think about recent news stories, personal experiences, or vivid examples that are readily retrievable from memory. For instance, if someone has recently heard about airplane accidents, they may overestimate the danger of flying due to that accessible information.

This approach can lead to skewed perceptions of reality, as it emphasizes what is most memorable or salient rather than what is statistically accurate. By focusing on recent experiences, individuals may neglect broader data or more systematic analyses, leading to potentially biased judgments or decisions. Thus, the availability heuristic is primarily about the influence of recent experiences on our decision-making processes.