Weird Coincidences Commonly Occur

Abstract

<p>The coincidence experience permeates all domains of life. We speak of the coincidental nature of falling in love, the experience of having a job "fall into one’s lap," and we read about coincidences in literature and see them occur regularly in movies and plays. To many of us, there is some degree of awe and wonder involved in experiencing an improbable coincidence. We may question why it happened, what it means, or simply stand back in amazement.</p> <H4>ABOUT THE AUTHORS</h4> <p>Stephanie L. Coleman is a PhD candidate at University of Missouri-Columbia. Elif Celebi, MD, is with the University of Rochester, Rochester, New York. Bernard D. Beitman, MD, is Professor, Department of Psychiatry, 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>. Ms. Coleman, Dr. Beitman, and Dr. Celebi have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.</p> <p>10.9999/00485713-20090421-03</p> <H4>EDUCATIONAL OBJECTIVES</H4><OL> <LI>Assess research on meaningful coincidences.</LI> <LI>Explain that weird coincidences are normative.</LI> <LI>Analyze some of the common meaningful coincidences.</LI></OL>