Illusion Of Control

Illusion of control is the tendency for people to view themselves as having more control and influence over situations that they have no control over. People frequently believe that they have control over chance events.

A common example can be seen in gambling and casinos. People believe that their actions have influence over games of chance whose outcome is entirely random. Studies have shown that people will throw dice harder when they need a high number and softer when they desire a low number. People will wear "lucky" clothes and perform superstitious rituals before they play because they feel they have control over the outcome of the game when in reality the chance of winning is random.