Illusion of Control Relative to Chance Outcomes

Abstract

Participants were engaged in a computer game in which outcomes occurred independently of responses. Depending upon group assignment, positive outcomes occurred randomly on either 33% or 66% of trials. Outcome relative to chance was manipulated by varying the number of response alternatives from which participants could choose (two, three, or six). After 50 and 100 trials, participants rated the control they had over accruing points and were asked to suggest specific rules as to how points were obtained. Illusion of control was related to percentage of trials producing favorable outcomes but was insensitive to performance relative to chance. Thus, participants ignored basic statistical probabilities in assessing their control, relying solely on the likelihood of positive outcomes. Furthermore, illusion of control was not related to participants' scores on Burger and Cooper's 1979 Desirability of Control scale.