We tend to think heavy objects make heavy noises, large animals leave large tracks, or dainty creatures move gracefully. These inferences tend to be generally correct when referencing physical things that are not complicated. But that can lead us to a Fallacy of Identity if we are not careful.
When issues are more complicated, those perceived similarities could influence thinking without supporting evidence. Thus people generally look for large causes for large problems. Problems in an economy must have economic causes. Big events surely have important consequences. Little events cannot affect the course of history. Except, history has repeatedly shown that is not the case.
Often this tendency can be also combined with biases that conclude motives are due to a centralized direction (see previous post on conspiracy theories). When that happens, we can see the conspiracy theories being pushed where there would not be any evidence to support such conclusions. When significant events happen, these two biases cause narratives to be peddled with correspondingly large causes to explain how or why the situation occurred.
Nobody feels comfortable being told that the event just happened and that’s just life. Previously I wrote (come on tell us what's going to happen) about our minds being wired to seek explanations so we feel a drive to come up with answers. Critical thinkers recognize that tendency driving behind the cause and effect bias, and take an objective approach instead.
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