The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon (frequency illusion): definition, examples and practical tips
Posted: Wed Jan 29, 2025 3:29 am
Introduction
Have you ever bought or considered a new car and suddenly everyone seems to be driving the same model? This is no coincidence; it's the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon at work. In this article, SME entrepreneurs discover how this phenomenon can affect their business choices and what they can do practically with it.
What is the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon?
The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also called the frequency illusion, is the illusion that a topic or word that came to your attention recently seems to occur at a higher frequency the period after it (Zwicky, 2005).
The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon gets its name from the mexico mobile numbers list Baader-Meinhof group, a former terrorist organization active in the Federal Republic of Germany. A reader of the newspaper the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Terry Mullen, had the idea in 1994 that he suddenly came across the name a lot, having first heard about it recently. He called it the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. It wasn't until 2005 that scientist Arnold Zwicky gave the phenomenon the name frequency illusion.
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How does the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon arise?
Your brain unconsciously pays more attention to the things you just learned. You suddenly see the "new" thing everywhere or hear everyone talking about it. You are unconsciously paying a lot of attention to it. The frequency illusion occurs when our brain focuses on a particular topic or word, making it seem like you suddenly see it more often in the streets. There are two psychological processes driving the phenomenon, confirmation bias and selective attention (Zwicky, 2006).
Have you ever bought or considered a new car and suddenly everyone seems to be driving the same model? This is no coincidence; it's the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon at work. In this article, SME entrepreneurs discover how this phenomenon can affect their business choices and what they can do practically with it.
What is the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon?
The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also called the frequency illusion, is the illusion that a topic or word that came to your attention recently seems to occur at a higher frequency the period after it (Zwicky, 2005).
The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon gets its name from the mexico mobile numbers list Baader-Meinhof group, a former terrorist organization active in the Federal Republic of Germany. A reader of the newspaper the St. Paul Pioneer Press, Terry Mullen, had the idea in 1994 that he suddenly came across the name a lot, having first heard about it recently. He called it the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon. It wasn't until 2005 that scientist Arnold Zwicky gave the phenomenon the name frequency illusion.
Meeting disappointing results from your online marketing?
Request the free performance scan
Do the scan
How does the Baader-Meinhof phenomenon arise?
Your brain unconsciously pays more attention to the things you just learned. You suddenly see the "new" thing everywhere or hear everyone talking about it. You are unconsciously paying a lot of attention to it. The frequency illusion occurs when our brain focuses on a particular topic or word, making it seem like you suddenly see it more often in the streets. There are two psychological processes driving the phenomenon, confirmation bias and selective attention (Zwicky, 2006).