# 49. Manipulation of bias and heuristics in decision making ## 49.5. Methodology/Refinements/Sub-species ### 49.5.50. Pareidolia This is when a vague and random stimulus (often an image or sound) is perceived as significant, e.g. seeing images of animals or faces in clouds, the man in the moon, or hearing non-existent hidden messages on records played in reverse. A manipulator can persuade a gullible victim to believe something, based on completely irrelevant visual coincidences or images he has created for the purpose. For instance, in July 2012, in New Jersey, a knot in a tree trunk was discovered. "Believers" claimed it resembled the Virgin Mary. The tree trunk drew large crowds of people who came to pray and lay flowers and place votive candles by the tree. Yes, this was in 2012. \[N.Y. Times 22/7/2012\].