magical thinkingnoun [ U ]
uk/ˌmædʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ//ˌmædʒ.ɪ.kəl ˈθɪŋ.kɪŋ/specializedthe belief that thinking about something or wanting it to happen can make it happen:
Children exhibit a form of magical thinking by about 18 months, when they begin to create imaginary worlds while playing.