apophenia

noun

ap·​o·​phe·​nia ˌa-pə-ˈfē-nē-ə 

: the tendency to perceive a connection or meaningful pattern between unrelated or random things (such as objects or ideas)

What psychologists call apophenia—the human tendency to see connections and patterns that are not really there—gives rise to conspiracy theories.

—George Johnson

compare pareidolia

Word History

First Known Use

1999, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

apophenia

noun

ap·​o·​phe·​nia ˌa-pə-ˈfē-nē-ə 

: the tendency to perceive a connection or meaningful pattern between unrelated or random things (such as objects or ideas)

The promise of the Data Age is that the truth really is in there, somewhere. But our age has a curse, too: apophenia, the tendency to see patterns that may or may not exist.

—Daniel Conover, The Post and Courier (Charleston, South Carolina)

compare pareidolia