On the origin of illusory correlations

Bibliographic Data

ID10901973
AuthorsKlaus Fiedler (0000-0002-3475-0868, Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen, corresponding author), Uli Hemmeter (Justus-Liebig-Universität Gießen), Carolin Hofmann
Year1984
Volume14
Issue2
Pages191-201
Publication date1984-04-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueEuropean Journal of Social Psychology (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0046-2772 • E-ISSN: 1099-0992
PublisherWiley (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1002/ejsp.2420140206
OpenAlexW2045913693
LanguageEN
Citations received8
References cited16

Empirical attempts to explain the genesis of illusory correlations have been largely confined to the demonstration of biased recall processes, although it has been acknowledged that perception and encoding processes may also contribute to the illusion. In the present research, illusory correlations between person types (a student versus a clerk) and educational attitudes (liberal versus authoritarian statements) are demonstrated under conditions where selective recall processes are highly unlikely. The cognitive bias that gives rise to the illusion is shown to already be effective when the stimulus information is perceived. Interestingly, there are marked interindividual differences between experimental participants. The results are discussed in the context of the literature on illusory correlations

Cognition · Cognitive psychology · Illusion · Perception · Recall · Stimulus (psychology) · Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics · Experimental Behavioral Economics Studies · Psychology · Social and Intergroup Psychology · Social Psychology

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