Which cognitive error can lead individuals to form false beliefs or stereotypes?

The concept of illusory correlation is key in understanding how individuals can form false beliefs or stereotypes. An illusory correlation occurs when people perceive a relationship between two variables that do not actually exist or is much weaker than they believe. For example, if someone constantly sees a particular stereotype represented in the media alongside a specific demographic, they may start to believe that there is a strong correlation between that group and certain behaviors or characteristics, even if statistical evidence does not support this view.

This cognitive error can significantly influence one's beliefs and attitudes, leading to the reinforcement of stereotypes. As people encounter information that confirms their existing beliefs, they are less likely to seek out or consider information that contradicts these views. The process highlights the cognitive biases that can distort perception of reality, ultimately affecting social judgments and interactions.

In contrast, the other options, while relevant to cognitive biases, do not directly address the formation of false beliefs and stereotypes in the same manner. Inductive reasoning involves drawing general conclusions from specific examples but does not inherently involve false correlations. Myside bias refers to the tendency to favor information that supports one's pre-existing beliefs, without necessarily leading to an illusory correlation. The falsification principle also pertains to testing hypotheses rather than forming stereotypes or beliefs