What is Illusory Correlation? - Psychology Facts

What is Illusory Correlation?

In this video, we'll be discussing what illusory correlation is, how it can impact our perception and decision-making, and how we can avoid falling victim to it.

Illusory correlation is a cognitive bias that occurs when we perceive a relationship or correlation between two events or phenomena, even when no such relationship actually exists. This can lead us to make flawed or irrational decisions, as we may believe that certain events or factors are related when they are not.

One common example of illusory correlation is the "post hoc" fallacy, where we assume that because one event happened after another, the first event must have caused the second. For example, if you start taking a new medication and then experience an improvement in your health, you may be more likely to attribute the improvement to the medication, even if there are other factors that may have contributed to the outcome.

So how can we avoid falling victim to illusory correlation? One way is to be aware of it and to critically evaluate claims that are based on perceived correlations. Instead of assuming that two events or factors are related, look for objective, factual evidence to support the claim.

Another way to avoid illusory correlation is to consider the full context and to look at a wide range of factors that may impact an outcome. By considering a variety of factors, rather than just a single event or factor, we can make more informed, rational decisions.

In conclusion, illusory correlation is a cognitive bias that occurs when we perceive a relationship or correlation between two events or phenomena, even when no such relationship actually exists. By being aware of illusory correlation and critically evaluating claims based on perceived correlations, and by considering a wide range of factors, we can avoid falling victim to this bias and make more informed, rational decisions.