Synchroners, High Emotion, and Coincidence Interpretation

Abstract

<P>Coincidences may be characterized by three primary variables: their frequency, the emotional intensity they generate, and the usefulness derived from their interpretation. The frequency of coincidence detection is related to certain personality characteristics as well as to situations that generate intense emotions. In this article, we describe characteristics of people who detect high frequencies of coincidences, the highly charged situations in which people are more likely to notice coincidences, and some of the benefits and problems with coincidence interpretations. </P> <H4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS </H4><P>Bernard D. Beitman, MD, is Professor, Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri–Columbia. Albert Shaw, MD, is with the University of Missouri-Columbia. </P><P>Address correspondence to: Bernard D. Beitman, MD, Department of Psychiatry, University of Missouri-Columbia, Three Hospital Drive, Columbia, MO 65201; fax 573-884-5936; or e-mail <A HREF="mailto:beitman@health.missouri.edu">beitman@health.missouri.edu</A>. </P><P>Dr. Beitman and Dr. Shaw have disclosed no relevant financial relationships. </P><P>10.9999/00485713-20090423-02 </P> <H4>EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES</H4><ol> <LI>Express the characteristics of high frequency coincidence detectors.</LI> <LI>Recognize that people who are high in vitality or high in self-referential tendencies tend to detect more coincidences.</LI><LI>Recall that intense emotional states tend to drive coincidence detection.</LI></OL>