Which of the following is true about illusory correlations in cognitive psychology?

• A. Illusory correlations occur when people perceive a relationship between two variables even when no such relationship exists.
• B. Illusory correlations only occur in individuals with clinical psychological disorders.
• C. Illusory correlations are a result of accurate statistical analysis of data.
• D. Illusory correlations refer to the tendency to forget information over time.

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of illusory correlation in cognitive psychology. Illusory correlation refers to the phenomenon where people perceive a relationship between two variables even when no actual relationship exists.
2. Step 2: Recognize that illusory correlations are common cognitive biases and are not limited to individuals with clinical psychological disorders. They can occur in anyone as part of normal cognitive processing.
3. Step 3: Note that illusory correlations are not the result of accurate statistical analysis. Instead, they arise from cognitive biases, such as selective attention or memory, which distort perception of relationships.
4. Step 4: Differentiate illusory correlations from other psychological concepts, such as forgetting information over time, which relates to memory decay rather than perception of relationships.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the correct statement is that illusory correlations occur when people perceive a relationship between two variables even when no such relationship exists.