The so-called illusory correlation can MOST directly help explain ____.
A)why people tend to think that they are 'better than average' on most traits and abilities
B)why people tend to overestimate the degree to which members of minority groups engage in criminal behaviours
C)why people tend to continue to gamble even when they have hit an 'unlucky streak'
D)why people tend to assume that it is more common for people to die from plane crashes than from lung cancer

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Illusory correlation refers to the tendency to perceive a relationship between two variables even when no such relationship exists. In the case of overestimating the degree to which members of minority groups engage in criminal behaviors, people may perceive a relationship between minority status and criminal behavior, even though there is no real association. This can lead to the illusory correlation between minority status and criminal behavior.

The So-Called Illusory Correlation Can MOST Directly Help Explain ____