Indeed, Matute, Vadillo, Blanco, and Musca (2007) have shown that even an artificial learning system using a very simple and popular learning algorithm such as the Rescorla and Wagner (1972) model will develop these illusions when the outcome occurs frequently and the system acts frequently.
"Belle de Jour" led them to develop an illusion of their own: if they had to create conservative clothes for commercial reasons, they could dream that the woman who bought them saw something deeper and more profound in them.
Thus, being personally involved is not necessary to develop the illusion, and a high action probability is not necessary either.
The motivational approach predicts, for these cases, that only those who act to obtain the outcome should develop the illusion.
Indeed, the RHI is more pronounced in people with schizophrenia in that they develop the illusion more quickly and more strongly than do control subjects (7).
Likewise, participants who perform the action very often, that is, high P A), are likely to develop an illusion of control, particularly in high P O) conditions (Allan & Jenkins, 1983; Blanco, Matute, & Vadillo, 2011, 2012; Hannah & Beneteau, 2009; Matute, 1996).
It follows from these analyses that even when the outcome is uncontrollable, if p(O) is high, a person who acts frequently to obtain the outcome will experience a high number of cause-outcome coincidences and will almost certainly develop an illusion of control (Blanco et al., 2011; Matute, 1996).
"In the core of our beings," Strozier says, "we retain the tightly interwoven notions that 'I am perfect' and 'you are perfect, but I am part of you.' " As the child develops, these illusions are tamed and integrated into a mature personality.
The results support the latter approach: Those acting more often to obtain the outcome developed stronger illusions, and so did their yoked counterparts.
"She had watched so many South Korean soap operas that she developed an illusion about life in South Korea," Mr. Kim said, pointing out a particularly well-dressed woman in a photograph of the 15 North Koreans.
