Definition of base rate neglect Ignoring the base rate refers to a cognitive bias that ignores probabilities and makes judgments contrary to statistics. Ignoring the base rate is also called the base rate error. Characteristics of base rate neglect Base rate neglect results in ignoring statistics and making judgments based on impressive subjective experience. Base rate neglect makes you judge based on your own stereotypes. Base rate neglect is also related to the representativeness heuristic. Information that comes to mind is given priority over statistics. Example of base rate neglect There are people who read the financial newspaper every day and look at the stock market every day. What kind of job is this person likely to have? 1. This person is most likely a Wall Street brokerage analyst. 2. This person is most likely a student. The answer is number two. Because of their descriptions of economic newspapers and the stock market, you are likely to think of them as securities a