Final answer:
Illusory correlation occurs when people believe in relationships between two things that do not actually exist.
Step-by-step explanation:
Illusory correlation occurs when people believe that relationships exist between two things when no such relationship actually exists. The relationship is an illusion based on our limited perception and the information that comes most easily to mind.
This tendency to believe in illusory correlations can be attributed to various factors, such as confirmation bias (when we look for evidence to support our preconceived beliefs) and the information that is readily available to us.
To combat illusory correlations, it is important to critically evaluate the evidence, consider alternative explanations, and avoid making cause-and-effect statements without sufficient evidence.