The
illusion of control is the tendency for people to overestimate their ability to control events; for example, it occurs when someone feels a sense of control over outcomes that they demonstrably do not influence. The effect was named by psychologist
Ellen Langer and has been replicated in many different contexts. It is thought to influence
gambling behavior and belief in the
paranormal. Along with
illusory superiority and
optimism bias, the illusion of control is one of the
positive illusions.