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Individual differences in the evolution of causal illusions.

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Title: Individual differences in the evolution of causal illusions.
Authors: García‐Arch, J., Rodríguez‐Ferreiro, J., Barberia, I.
Source: British Journal of Psychology. May2025, Vol. 116 Issue 2, p336-353. 18p.
Subjects: Behavior modification, Probability theory, Perceptual illusions, Learning, Reward (Psychology), Paradigms (Social sciences), Individuality, Causality (Physics), Attribution (Social psychology), Judgment (Psychology)
Abstract: In this research, we investigated individual differences in the formation and persistence of causal illusions. In a re‐analysis of existing data, we identified two clusters of participants – persistent and adjusting – based on their trajectories in learning from repeated exposure to null contingencies. The persistent cluster maintained stable causal illusions, while the adjusting cluster demonstrated a reduction over time. This re‐analysis provided a nuanced understanding of individual differences in causal learning, emphasizing the differential role of probability estimations in predicting causal judgements. These findings were replicated in a subsequent study, highlighting the robustness of the identified effects. In a pre‐registered study, we extended the paradigm to include a second phase (active phase) to assess how individual differences in causal illusion trajectories in the passive phase would manifest when participants had agency in the information gathering process. The results were consistent with those of the two previous studies and confirmed our primary hypothesis that the adjusting cluster would exhibit a lower tendency to introduce the candidate cause on learning trials, and would, therefore, observe a higher frequency of cause–absent trials. Together, these studies provide comprehensive insights into the underpinnings of causal illusion development and persistence, potentially informing de‐biasing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of British Journal of Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection
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  Data: Individual differences in the evolution of causal illusions.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22British+Journal+of+Psychology%22">British Journal of Psychology</searchLink>. May2025, Vol. 116 Issue 2, p336-353. 18p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Behavior+modification%22">Behavior modification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Probability+theory%22">Probability theory</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Perceptual+illusions%22">Perceptual illusions</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Learning%22">Learning</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Reward+%28Psychology%29%22">Reward (Psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Paradigms+%28Social+sciences%29%22">Paradigms (Social sciences)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Individuality%22">Individuality</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Causality+%28Physics%29%22">Causality (Physics)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Attribution+%28Social+psychology%29%22">Attribution (Social psychology)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Judgment+%28Psychology%29%22">Judgment (Psychology)</searchLink>
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  Data: In this research, we investigated individual differences in the formation and persistence of causal illusions. In a re‐analysis of existing data, we identified two clusters of participants – persistent and adjusting – based on their trajectories in learning from repeated exposure to null contingencies. The persistent cluster maintained stable causal illusions, while the adjusting cluster demonstrated a reduction over time. This re‐analysis provided a nuanced understanding of individual differences in causal learning, emphasizing the differential role of probability estimations in predicting causal judgements. These findings were replicated in a subsequent study, highlighting the robustness of the identified effects. In a pre‐registered study, we extended the paradigm to include a second phase (active phase) to assess how individual differences in causal illusion trajectories in the passive phase would manifest when participants had agency in the information gathering process. The results were consistent with those of the two previous studies and confirmed our primary hypothesis that the adjusting cluster would exhibit a lower tendency to introduce the candidate cause on learning trials, and would, therefore, observe a higher frequency of cause–absent trials. Together, these studies provide comprehensive insights into the underpinnings of causal illusion development and persistence, potentially informing de‐biasing interventions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
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  Data: <i>Copyright of British Journal of Psychology is the property of Wiley-Blackwell and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1111/bjop.12754
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        Text: English
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        StartPage: 336
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        Type: general
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      – SubjectFull: Perceptual illusions
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      – SubjectFull: Learning
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      – SubjectFull: Reward (Psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Paradigms (Social sciences)
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      – SubjectFull: Individuality
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      – SubjectFull: Causality (Physics)
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      – SubjectFull: Attribution (Social psychology)
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      – SubjectFull: Judgment (Psychology)
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      – TitleFull: Individual differences in the evolution of causal illusions.
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              Text: May2025
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              Y: 2025
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