Lacking control increases illusory pattern perception
Whitson and Galinsky, Science 322(5898), 2008, 115-117. Six experiments testing whether lacking control increases illusory pattern perception, the perception of meaningful connections among random or unrelated stimuli. People who lacked control were more likely to perceive patterns such as images in noise, illusory correlations in stock market data, conspiracies and superstitions. Need for structure was measured, and affirming the self reduced the link between lack of control and pattern perception, suggesting a shared motive.
Whitson and Galinsky, Science 322(5898), 2008, 115-117. Six experiments testing whether lacking control increases illusory pattern perception, the perception of meaningful connections among random or unrelated stimuli. People who lacked control were more likely to perceive patterns such as images in noise, illusory correlations in stock market data, conspiracies and superstitions. Need for structure was measured, and affirming the self reduced the link between lack of control and pattern perception, suggesting a shared motive.
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Whitson, J. A., & Galinsky, A. D. (2008). Lacking control increases illusory pattern perception. Science, 322(5898), 115-117. doi:10.1126/science.1159845 https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1159845