Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 9, 2026
07:34
Perceptual and Category Processing of the Uncanny Valley Hypothesis' Dimension of Human Likeness: Some Methodological Issues
Published on: June 3, 2013
The affective and memorial components of distinctiveness-based illusory correlations
C Johnson1, B Mullen, D Carlson
1Department of Psychology, Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY 11550, USA. psycaj@hofstra.edu
The British Journal of Social Psychology
|October 12, 2001
Summary
This study reveals illusory correlation (IC) is driven by both cognitive memorial and affective components. Affective intensity impacts IC more on evaluative measures, while memorial aspects influence assignment judgments.
Area of Science:
- Cognitive Psychology
- Social Psychology
Background:
- Illusory correlation (IC) describes the tendency to overestimate the co-occurrence of distinctive events.
- A proposed model suggests IC has distinct cognitive memorial and affective components.
Purpose of the Study:
- To empirically test a dual-component model of illusory correlation.
- To differentiate the roles of affective and memorial processes in IC formation.
Main Methods:
- Experiment 1 (N=118) manipulated emotional intensity (affective dimension) while keeping valence constant.
- Experiment 2 (N=52) manipulated valence while keeping affective qualities matched.
- Measures included estimation, general evaluation, and assignment to assess IC magnitude.
Main Results:
- Higher emotional intensity amplified the IC effect on evaluative measures (Experiment 1).
- Varied valence significantly affected IC on assignment measures, linked to the memorial component (Experiment 2).
Conclusions:
- Findings support a distinct role for affective and cognitive memorial processes in illusory correlation.
- The study elucidates the nuanced mechanisms underlying the IC phenomenon.
Related Concept Videos
01:53Cause and Effect
While variables are sometimes correlated because one does cause the other, it could also be that some other factor, a confounding variable, is actually causing the systematic movement in our variables of interest. For instance, as sales in ice cream increase, so does the overall rate of crime. Is it possible that indulging in your favorite flavor of ice cream could send you on a crime spree? Or, after committing crime do you think you might decide to treat yourself to a cone?
01:29The Influence of Affect on Cognition
Positive affect significantly influences cognitive processes, including evaluation, memory, creativity, and social judgments. Compared to negative affect, positive emotional states promote more favorable interpretations of stimuli, cognitive flexibility, and heuristic processing. These effects highlight emotions' powerful role in shaping how individuals perceive, remember, and interact with the world.Influence on Evaluation and AttributionWhen individuals experience positive affect, they are...
01:29Theory of Attribution II: Kelley's Covariation Theory
Attribution theory plays a crucial role in social psychology, helping to explain how individuals interpret the causes of behavior. One prominent model within this field is Harold Kelley's covariation theory, which provides a systematic approach to determining whether internal traits or external circumstances drive a person's actions. The model posits that individuals rely on three key types of information—consensus, consistency, and distinctiveness—to make these judgments.Consensus: Comparing...
01:24Role of Affect in Interpersonal Attraction
Affect plays a crucial role in shaping interpersonal evaluations and perceptions. Emotions influence how individuals judge and respond to others, often determining whether interactions are viewed positively or negatively. This effect can manifest directly through interactions with the person in question or indirectly via associations with unrelated emotional experiences.Direct Effects of Affect on AttractionAffect directly influences interpersonal attraction when a person’s behavior elicits...
01:23Factors Influencing Attraction III: Similarity
The similarity hypothesis suggests that individuals are more likely to form relationships with others who share similar attitudes, beliefs, values, and interests. This concept has been widely studied in social psychology, demonstrating that perceived similarity fosters interpersonal attraction. In an experiment supporting this hypothesis, participants were presented with fabricated information indicating that strangers held attitudes similar to their own. The results showed that participants...
01:26Causes of Similarity-Dissimilarity Effect
The similarity-dissimilarity effect, a fundamental concept in social psychology, explains how interpersonal similarities and differences influence attraction and social interactions. This effect is supported by three key psychological perspectives: balance theory, social comparison theory, and consensual validation.Balance Theory and Cognitive ConsistencyBalance theory, developed by Fritz Heider, posits that individuals seek cognitive consistency in their relationships. When two people share...