Conjunction fallacy (Linda problem)

Biological Parallel

Birds identify predators through compound cues—hawk-shaped silhouette plus rapid movement plus shadow pattern. Adding details increases subjective probability even when mathematically impossible: P(all features) < P(single feature). This pattern-matching architecture produces the Linda problem: 'feminist bank teller' feels more probable than 'bank teller' because specificity activates more recognition nodes. Forest fires illustrate the cost: animals evolved to flee at smoke + heat + crackling (conjunction) rather than wait for statistical proof, even when conjunction is less probable than individual cues.