Many Television Shopping Networks Put a Countdown Timer on the Screen

Multiple Choice

Many television shopping networks put a countdown timer on the screen while trying to solicit the purchase of specific items. This gives the impression that there are only a few of that particular item available, and creates pressure to make a purchase very quickly. Thinking that one must buy "before time runs out" is known as the ________ heuristic.

A) consensus
B) scarcity
C) availability
D) representativeness