Introduction to the Illusion of Control

The illusion of control is a psychological phenomenon where individuals overestimate their ability to influence outcomes that are largely determined by chance. This cognitive illusion manifests when people mistakenly believe that their choices or actions can significantly affect random events, such as gambling or drawing cards. For instance, a scenario involving a slot machine is discussed where the act of pressing the button may create a false sense of agency despite the game being entirely based on luck. The distinction between personal control and objective randomness highlights how our perceptions can skew our understanding of chance.