apophenia

American  

[ap-uh-fe-nee-uh, ap-uh-fee-nee-uh] / ˌæp əˈfɛ ni ə, ˌæp əˈfi ni ə /

noun

1. Psychology. the tendency to perceive meaningful patterns or connections where there are none.

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Example Sentences

Scientists call this tendency to find meaningful patterns in randomness "apophenia."

From Science Daily • May 14, 2026

The believability of a false narrative is reinforced by what psychologists call apophenia, defined as the proclivity to perceive meaningful connections among unrelated things.

From Salon • Jul. 18, 2023

More importantly, I learned how easy it is to fool yourself into perceiving a pattern where none exists — a phenomenon called apophenia, "the condition of seeing or imagining patterns in random occurrences."

From Salon • Apr. 23, 2022

“We’re supposed to be hyperaware of ‘atmospherics,’ ” Morris told me, pinpointing the sticky problem of apophenia, its grace and peril.

From Slate • Sep. 16, 2014

Yet apophenia can also lure us into false and damaging convictions.

From Slate • Sep. 16, 2014