The Baader-Meinhof phenomenon, also known as the frequency illusion or recency illusion, refers to the experience where something you recently learned about suddenly seems to appear everywhere. For example, you learn a new word or concept, and then you start noticing it frequently in various contexts.

The phenomenon occurs because of two cognitive biases: selective attention and confirmation bias. Selective attention happens when you start paying more attention to things that are relevant to your recent experiences or interests. Confirmation bias occurs when you notice and remember instances that confirm your new knowledge while ignoring those that don't.

Interestingly, the term "Baader-Meinhof phenomenon" is also sometimes used to refer to the Baader-Meinhof Group, also known as the Red Army Faction (RAF), a far-left militant organization that operated in Germany during the 1970s. The term for the cognitive phenomenon, however, is unrelated to the group and was coined by a reader of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, who noticed the frequency illusion after hearing the name of the group twice in a short period., also known as the frequency illusion or recency illusion, refers to the experience where something you recently learned about suddenly seems to appear everywhere. For example, you learn a new word or concept, and then you start noticing it frequently in various contexts.

The phenomenon occurs because of two cognitive biases: selective attention and confirmation bias. Selective attention happens when you start paying more attention to things that are relevant to your recent experiences or interests. Confirmation bias occurs when you notice and remember instances that confirm your new knowledge while ignoring those that don't.

Interestingly, the term "Baader-Meinhof phenomenon" is also sometimes used to refer to the Baader-Meinhof Group, also known as the Red Army Faction (RAF), a far-left militant organization that operated in Germany during the 1970s. The term for the cognitive phenomenon, however, is unrelated to the group and was coined by a reader of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, who noticed the frequency illusion after hearing the name of the group twice in a short period.

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