The popular superstition that deaths, particularly of notable figures, occur in threes is a myth, according to psychologists and researchers. While recent weeks have seen the apparent confirmation of this adage with the deaths of entertainers Hayden Panettiere, Dolly Parton, and Tim Curry, experts attribute this phenomenon to a fundamental human cognitive bias.
This belief, sometimes referred to as the "celebrity death rule of threes," also appears in other contexts, with healthcare professionals noting similar patterns among patients. The notion may have roots in European traditions, potentially influenced by a cultural emphasis on the number three, such as the Holy Trinity, which could have shaped how people understood random events.
Psychologists explain that this persistent belief is rooted in our evolutionary drive to perceive patterns, even where none exist. This tendency, known as "patternicity" or "apophenia," is the inclination to find meaningful connections in random or meaningless data. For survival, our brains are wired to err on the side of caution, potentially misinterpreting benign signals as threats. In the context of death, which is often frightening and unpredictable, seeking patterns can be an attempt to impose order and a sense of control.
When a notable death occurs, people may subconsciously begin to look for subsequent deaths, grouping them together to fit the perceived pattern. The occurrence of a third death can then bring a temporary sense of relief, implying that the immediate danger has passed. This is similar to how fans might wear a specific jersey to influence a team's performance or how individuals might interpret natural occurrences as signs from departed loved ones during grief.
Apophenia can be particularly pronounced during periods of heightened negative emotions like anxiety or grief, states often accompanying high-profile public losses. By identifying a pattern, individuals can create a sense of comfort and reassurance, making the unpredictable nature of mortality more manageable. While these patterns are culturally reinforced and can offer solace, especially during times of mourning, they lack any empirical evidence of actual correlation between sequential deaths.