Firstly, the similarity between schizophrenia and patternicity is superficial. Not all the people with schizophrenia are paranoid, although this is certainly the best known type of the disease. Apart from that, the core of schizophrenia appears to be in the disintegration of personality, not in the hyperactivity of any single brain-mind mechanism.

More importantly, is the example with the predator not arbitrary? Let us think about a type I error that is more harmful than type II. For instance, after having eaten a few kinds of mushrooms, an animal might “think” that all other types were edible, too, including toadstools.

Therefore, I am not sure I am convinced as far as the evolutionary basis for patternicity is concerned. Personally, I would say that patterns simply make the world look more understandable and predictable, which might be needed for human beings and animals alike.

Of course, this does not exclude the idea of evolutionary roots itself; however, the type I / type II explanation is somewhat dubious.

Thanks
Maria Jim
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