Member-only story
The illusion of coincidences: Why do we see patterns where there are none?
Do you ever have one of those moments where you think to yourself, “It’s a small world”? You may be surprised to learn that this feeling is more than just a coincidence. It’s what psychologists call the “illusion of coincidences.”
This phenomenon occurs when we see patterns in random events and assign meaning to them. We often do this because it gives us a sense of control in a chaotic world. However, this can lead us down a rabbit hole of false beliefs and irrational thinking.
So, what is it about illusions that gets our attention? And what are the patterns that lead us down a different path than the one we are on?
What are coincidences?
Coincidences are events that appear to be related but are unrelated. They are often surprising or unlikely, and can sometimes be seen as meaningful. However, it is important to remember that coincidences are usually just the result of chance.
There are many different types of coincidences, but they all have one thing in common — they are not related. For example, you may go to a party and meet someone who shares your birthday. This may seem like a meaningful coincidence, but it’s just a result of the fact that there are a lot of people in the world and some of them are…
