Apophenia is the tendency to believe that there is some meaningful connection between unrelated objects, ideas or events.
For example, imagine that you lose $10 only to find $10 the next day; or you are thinking about your mom just before she calls. Or that you are praying for something that happens after some time.
If you can imagine a connection between these events, it does not mean that the connection exists or that one event has caused the other.
Apophenia explains, to a great extent, why people still believe in karma, gods and superstitions and in other mystical practices. New Age beliefs such as the law of attraction and manifestation can also be explained by apophenia. The same is true about conspiracy theories: you imagine that certain unrelated events are all part of a secret plot.
How to avoid apophenia
- When you think that two events are connected, ask yourself: Why do I think there is a connection between them? Aside from your feelings, is there any real connection between them?
- Learn more about apophenia or about human psychology in general. It will help you realize that our brains are not as trustworthy as they seem.
- Learn more about how the world works in general. Some of the things you imagine to be real can have simple, scientific explanations.
- If you think events A and B are connected, keep track of how often A and B happen on their own and how often they co-occur.
- Learn more about how the world works in general. Some of the things you imagine to be real can have simple, scientific explanations.
- If you think events A and B are connected, keep track of how often A and B happen on their own and together. They may co-occur less often than you would think.
- Do not try to find meaning in random events – you will probably just make it up.