The science of apophenia

The term was coined in 1958 by German psychiatrist Klaus Conrad during his study of schizophrenia. It is an effect of brain function that is now commonly recognised in health, not just to those with a form of psychosis.

In schizophrenia, Conrad found that those who developed "apophany" started experiencing abnormal meanings in their daily life derived from unconnected events.

n healthy individuals, apophenia may not lead to such alarming consequences, but can still have a significant impact on one’s decision-making processes.