Illusory pattern perception

This article discusses a new paper in the European Journal of Social Psychology that shows our brain's penchant for seeing patterns can go awry. Illusory pattern perception is displayed for example in climate science denial, 9/11 truthers, Pizzagate etc. This phenomenon correlates with irrational beliefs that connect dots that aren't there. We all have this tendency to confirm our biases. However training in critical thinking can reduce the effects of this syndrome.