Why are patterns appealing to us and why is it the first thing we notice?

Answer 1

To my understanding, and from a cognitive-behavioral approach, patterns are appealing because they can be predictive. When we can find similarities or repetitions our brain can begin to form ideas about what to expect. One theory that might me helpful to further understand this would be under the CBT umbrella, Schema Therapy. For example, let's say that you are completely new to the world and encounter your first dog. The brain's first reaction is likely fear because it has never seen a dog and does not know what to expect. Next, they see another dog that is similar but different from the first. The brain begins to note similarities and patterns in what they look like, how they act, how they respond to you, etc. This helps the person to form a road map of how to navigate dogs in the world, what to expect from them, and whether or not to feel safe. As they continue to encounter additional dogs this road map continues to grow (forming schemas) about what a dog is, how it behaves, how it looks. Now that this schema is formed the brain can predict how dogs in the future will behave and can prepare/respond appropriately.