Concept · Cognitive Bias: Decision-making and judgment biases
Illusion of control
Origin: Langer, 1975
Biological Parallel
Animals overestimate their influence over outcomes they initiate versus outcomes imposed externally. A hunting wolf feels control over success; a scavenging wolf feels victim to circumstance—even when actual control is similar. Perceived control activates effort and persistence: animals that feel agency try harder, increasing actual success. The illusion is self-fulfilling: belief in control generates behaviors that create control. Your superstitious rituals persist because trying feels better than helplessness, and trying sometimes works.