Another common bias is the availability heuristic, in which we judge the probability of events based on how easily examples come to mind. For instance, after seeing news about plane crashes, people may overestimate the risk of flying, even though statistically it’s far safer than driving. These biases evolved for survival—quick decisions were once more valuable than perfect accuracy—but in modern society, they can lead to financial mistakes, relationship misunderstandings, and even public policy errors.
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Awareness is the first step in overcoming bias. But awareness alone is not enough, because biases operate automatically and unconsciously. Effective strategies include actively seeking disconfirming evidence, delaying important decisions to allow for reflection, using checklists to reduce oversight, and consulting with people who hold different perspectives. In some cases, structured decision-making frameworks—like cost-benefit analyses or probabilistic forecasting—can counteract mental shortcuts.
