The availability heuristic is a mental shortcut that helps people make decisions based on how easily examples come to mind. When individuals think of an event or situation, they often rely on recent experiences or vivid memories, which can lead to biased judgments. For instance, if someone frequently hears about airplane accidents in the news, they may overestimate the danger of flying. This cognitive bias can affect various aspects of life, including risk assessment and decision-making. It can cause people to overreact to rare events, like natural disasters, while underestimating more common risks, such as car accidents. Understanding the availability heuristic can help improve critical thinking and decision-making skills.