Connecting the dots: Illusory pattern perception predicts belief in conspiracies and the supernatural.

ABSTRACT: A common assumption is that belief in conspiracy theories and supernatural phenomena are grounded in illusory pattern perception. In the present research we systematically tested this assumption. Study 1 revealed that such irrational beliefs are related to perceiving patterns in randomly generated coin toss outcomes. In Study 2, pattern search instructions exerted an indirect effect on irrational beliefs through pattern perception. Study 3 revealed that perceiving patterns in chaotic but not in structured paintings predicted irrational beliefs. In Study 4, we found that agreement with texts supporting paranormal phenomena or conspiracy theories predicted pattern perception. In Study 5, we manipulated belief in a specific conspiracy theory. This manipulation influenced the extent to which p

SUBMITTER: van Prooijen JW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5900972 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature