Apophenia is the cognitive bias whereby individuals perceive meaningful connections between unrelated things. This phenomenon can manifest in various forms, including seeing patterns in random data or detecting significant themes in coincidental events. Originally described by psychiatrist Klaus Conrad in 1958, apophenia is seen in both normal cognitive functioning and various psychiatric conditions, notably in the context of schizophrenia.
For instance, a gambler might believe they've spotted a winning pattern in random lottery numbers, leading them to make ill-fated bets based on those perceived patterns.
To mitigate apophenia, it's crucial to approach data and events critically, seeking evidence and context rather than jumping to conclusions based on perceived patterns without justification.