Pareidolia-Psychological Phenomenon of Seeing Faces in Things

Evolution psychologists such as Carl Sagan in his book Demon Haunted World have linked Pareidolia to a survival technique, an evolutionary advantage which benefited our ancestors. He wrote that infants who were unable able to recognise faces were less likely to be loved by their parents.

Assuming there are faces in your environment also meant that our ancestors were safer from predators. An example of this was given by Christopher French of the British Psychological Society. He said:

"A classic example is the Stone Age guy standing there, scratching his beard, wondering whether that rustling in the bushes really is a sabre-toothed tiger. You're much more likely to survive if you assume it's a sabre-toothed tiger and get the hell out of there - otherwise you may end up as lunch."

With facial recognition software, computers are now able to see faces too and often make mistakes. This can be seen to be similar to pareidolia.

Pareidolia test

The pareidolia test reveals how different people’s perceptions compare. It found that women and religious people and those who feel depressed are more likely to experience seeing faces in things. 

Psychologists have used a test called the Rorschach inkblot test as a way of trying to understand personality and emotions. The test was developed by Herman Rorschach in 1921 and involves a series of ten ink blots in different colours and patterns. Many psychologists believe that this test can be used to understand someone’s psyche. Ink is dropped on a piece of paper; the paper is folded in half and the person being tested must then describe what they see. The answers they give is supposed to indicate what sort of personality they have.

What is the difference between Apophenia and Pareidolia?

Apophenia is a more general term for pareidolia. Apophenia is seeing patterns in objects and associating them with preconceived ideas that one already holds. It’s a way of the brain trying to comprehend and make sense of things. For example, a man may see the time in many objects and then take this to signify the time at which his son committed suicide. 

Pareidolia, differs to apophenia in that it occurs when somebody may see a face or pattern in an object. However, people who experience Pareidolia, won't take this as a sign or to mean anything to support their own ideas and beliefs about a subject. 

According to Peter Brugger, from the Department of Neurology at the University Hospital in Zurich, high levels of dopamine increases the likelihood of experiencing apophenia and can also result in the belief of ghosts and paranormal activities.

What happens when Apophenia and Pareidolia are experienced at the same time?

When Apophenia and Pareidolia are combined, one will have a heightened experience. For example, one may find an image of Jesus in a piece of toast (this is Pareidolia). However, if they then go on to take this as a sign that God is communicating with them, then this is apophenia.