Illusory correlation is a cognitive distortion of an exaggeratedly close relationship between variables, which in reality either does not exist, or is much smaller than expected. A typical example is the attribution of negative qualities to an ethnic minority group. Illusory correlation is considered one of the ways stereotypes are formed.
The phenomenon of illusory correlation is most often observed when events are unusual, noticeable and striking.
Content
Classical research
Illusory correlation for the first time was discovered during the experiments of Chapman and Chapman (Chapman and Chapman) (1967). By the term “illusory correlation”, they denoted the tendency of people to overestimate the relationship between the two groups when distinctive and unusual information is presented.
During their experiment, subjects without medical training were offered information about hypothetical mentally ill patients. Then they were asked to evaluate the frequency with which each diagnosis (for example, paranoia) was accompanied by features of the picture (for example, large eyes). During the experiment, it turned out that the subjects exaggerated the frequency of coincidence of natural associations (large eyes - paranoia). The experimental data cast doubt on the viability of projective techniques as a psycho-diagnostic tool [1] [2] .
Investigating the Role of Illusory Correlation on the Formation of Stereotypes
Studies by David Hamilton and Robert Gifford (1976) have shown that illusory correlations can be sources of stereotypical beliefs about minorities. During the experiment, they showed the subjects slides, which depicted various people belonging to group A or B, and said that they were doing something desirable or undesirable. It was shown 2 times more members of group A than group B, but both groups committed nine desirable actions to four undesirable. Since the members of group B and their undesirable actions appeared less frequently, their simultaneous mention was an unusual situation that attracted people's attention. The subjects overestimated the frequency of committing unwanted acts by “representatives of the minority” (members of group B) and gave group B a more rigorous assessment. David Hamilton and Robert Gifford concluded that illusory correlations give rise to racial stereotypes. [3]
Hamilton and Rose (1980) also found that stereotypes can lead to expectation of certain traits from certain groups, and then to an overestimation of the frequency with which these correlations actually occur. [four]
Theoretical Background
Most researchers believe that psychological heuristics, in particular accessibility heuristics, are the source of illusory correlation. Accessibility heuristics are an intuitive process for evaluating the probability or frequency of an event by how easily similar events come to mind. According to D. Kahneman and A. Tversky, accessibility is a natural reason for the illusory correlation, since within the framework of this heuristic, a person will consider events that are easier for him to imagine together to be more connected. [five]
Illusory correlation is also associated with cognitive bias such as “ confirmation bias ” (the tendency to interpret information in such a way as to confirm what is already available).
See also
- Cognitive distortion
- The tendency to confirm their point of view
Notes
- ↑ LOREN J. CHAPMAN, JEAN P. CHAPMAN. Genesis of popular but erroneous psychodiagnostic observations. (Eng.) // Journal of Abnormal Psychology. - 1967-06-01. - T. 72 , no. 3 . - S. 193–204 . - DOI : 10.1037 / h0024670 .
- ↑ Loren J. Chapman, Jean P. Chapman. Illusory correlation as an obstacle to the use of valid psychodiagnostic signs. (Eng.) // Journal of Abnormal Psychology. - 1969-06-01. - T. 74 , no. 3 . - S. 271–280 . - DOI : 10.1037 / h0027592 .
- ↑ David L. Hamilton, Robert K. Gifford. Illusory correlation in interpersonal perception: A cognitive basis of stereotypic judgments // Journal of Experimental Social Psychology. - 1976-01-01. - T. 12 , no. 4 . - S. 392–407 . - DOI : 10.1016 / S0022-1031 (76) 80006-6 .
- ↑ David L. Hamilton, Terrence L. Rose. Illusory correlation and the maintenance of stereotypic beliefs. (English) // Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. - 1980-11-01. - T. 39 , no. 5 . - S. 832–845 . - DOI : 10.1037 / 0022-3514.39.5.832 .
- ↑ Kaneman D., Slovik P., Tversky A. Decision making in uncertainty: Rules and prejudices. - Kharkov: Humanitarian Center, 2005. - 632 p. - ISBN 966-8324-14-5 .
Links
- Hamilton, David L .; Rose, Terrence L. (1980). "Illusory correlation and the maintenance of stereotypic beliefs." Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 39 (5): 832-845. doi: 10.1037 / 0022- 3514.39.5.832
- Chapman, Loren J. Chapman, Jean P; Genesis of popular but erroneouus psychodiagnostic observations. Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Vol 72 (3), 1967, 193-204 https://dx.doi.org/10.1037/h0024670
- Chapman, Loren J. Chapman, Jean P. (1969). "Illusory Correlation as an Obstacle to the Use of Valid Psychodiagnostic Signs." Journal of Abnormal Psychology 74 (3): 271-280. doi: 10.1037 / h0027592