Which term describes the belief that one's own actions may have caused an illness?

The belief that one's own actions may have caused an illness is best described by the term "Magical Thinking." This concept refers to the tendency to think that one's thoughts, words, or actions can influence events in a way that is not grounded in scientific reasoning. In contexts of health and illness, individuals may believe that certain behaviors or rituals they performed could directly result in someone's sickness, or they might think that wishing for something negative could manifest that outcome.

This type of thinking often arises in cultures or personal belief systems where there is a significant emphasis on the connection between mind and body, and events are interpreted as being influenced by supernatural forces or individual agency, even in the absence of logical or causal relationships. Magical thinking can also provide a means for individuals to cope with uncertainty or the randomness of illness, as attributing cause to one’s own actions can create a sense of control in situations that feel otherwise helpless. Understanding this concept helps analyze how cultural beliefs influence perceptions of health and illness across different societies.