Scope Insensitivity
Scope Insensitivity is a cognitive bias where the valuation of a problem does not scale proportionally with its magnitude. First documented by Desvousges et al. in 1992, this "Scope Neglect" explains why we donate the same amount to save 2,000 birds as we do for 200,000, and why we struggle to comprehend existential risks like global pandemics or nuclear war. By understanding how the "Judgment by Prototype" mechanism fails in the face of large numbers, decision-makers can apply "Expected Value" logic to prioritize interventions that offer the greatest absolute impact.