Question

"My uncle smoked 2 packs a day and was healthy - smoking isn't really bad for you." This is an example of

a) availability heuristic
b) "the man who" argument
c) anchoring
d) hindsight bias
e) the distinctiveness principle

Answer 1

The example provided by the student illustrates the availability heuristic, as it relies on a single, easily remembered example rather than the broader evidence that demonstrates the health risks of smoking.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement "My uncle smoked 2 packs a day and was healthy - smoking isn't really bad for you" is an example of the availability heuristic. This is because the argument is based on an easily recalled example rather than a comprehensive look at the statistical probabilities and evidence that show the many health risks associated with smoking. The availability heuristic can mislead our judgment by making us believe that our personal experiences or vivid examples are more representative of the norm than they actually are.