An illusory correlation is best defined as a a. perceived relationship where one does not exist

An illusory correlation is best defined as a

a. perceived relationship where one does not exist

b. causal relationship

c. correlation of 0

d. correlation of − 1.0

e. correlation of + 1.0

Answer: a. perceived relationship where one does not exist

An illusory correlation is when people assume a relationship between two variables, despite the fact that there’s no evidence of an actual connection. For instance, an individual might have strong beliefs that it is likely for undesirable affairs to take place on the 13 th day of Friday but in real sense nothing like evil mathematical evidence. Illusory correlations are based on cognitive-processing biases-aspects of our thinking patterns. In this case, we are more likely to observe cases that confirm our beliefs of the associations and ignore those which refute them. We also link rare events and due to this we attribute causation as a result of coincidences. In fact, the variables are not correlated for real . However, the relationship between them is wrongly perceived by our minds. Illusory correlations are the process that creates superstitions and prejudices; however, they have nothing to do with objective data analysis.