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The Science of Superstitions

Superstitions have been a part of human culture for centuries, persisting even in our

modern, scientifically advanced world. But why do these beliefs keep shaping our thoughts and actions? Recent scientific studies have revealed the psychology behind superstitions and their consequences.


Despite our rational understanding of the world, superstitions continue to exist even among seemingly logical individuals. Erol Akçay, a theoretical biologist at the University of Pennsylvania, goes as far as to say, "I think we are all basically superstitious all the time". The continuous existence of superstitious beliefs may be due to the psychological benefits that they offer such as stress relief and improved self-efficacy, as suggested by a 2010 study at the University of Cologne where psychologists discovered that using good-luck superstitions, like saying “I keep my fingers crossed” or using a “lucky charm,” resulted in improved performance in activities such as golfing, motor tasks, memory games, and anagram puzzles.


One key benefit of superstitions is their ability to reduce anxiety. A 2018 study at the James Cook University in Singapore found that participants who believed they had a 'lucky' pen experienced less anxiety and rated their performance more positively during a stressful task compared to participants who did not receive a "lucky" pen, suggesting that superstitions can alleviate stress in tense situations.


Jane Risen, a professor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth in Illinois,

explained our belief in superstitions despite knowing their falsity using the dual process

model of cognition. According to this model, humans can think both "fast" (intuitively) and

"slow" (rationally). Risen suggests that in this model, people can recognize that their belief is irrational but choose to act on it anyway, a process she refers to as "acquiescence".


Interestingly, superstitions may have an adaptive function. They can provide a sense of

control over unpredictable aspects of life and help reduce anxiety about the unknown. This could explain why superstitions have been passed down through generations, despite their apparent irrationality. Stuart A. Vyse explains the significance of superstitions with the statement, “Superstition is not an abnormal behavior and is not limited to traditional cultures, or race, religion, nationality; nor is a product of people of low intelligence, or lacking education. ...all humans possess it as a part of nature, built into our neuronal mainframe”. People are willing to believe in superstitions without complaint to not tempt fate, because the costs of following the superstition are very low compared with the potential outcome. One study explained that most people believe in superstitions since the advantages of following a good-luck superstition outweigh the disadvantages of potential uncertain outcomes.


However, it's important to note that while superstitions may offer some psychological

benefits, they can also lead to irrational decision-making based on luck rather than sound

judgment. When these beliefs interfere with daily living, causing issues such as excess

worry, tension, and obsessive thoughts, it is important to note that these might be symptoms of serious problems, such as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD).


In conclusion, while superstitions may seem irrational on the surface, they serve complex

psychological functions and can even be beneficial in certain situations. As we continue to learn the science behind these beliefs, we understand more about human nature and

behavior. Perhaps, as Foster and Kokko suggested, superstitions are an inevitable feature of adaptive behavior in all organisms, including ourselves.


Citations:

1) Sandoiu, Ana. "How Do Superstitions Affect Our Psychology and Well-Being?"

Medical News Today, 13 Sept. 2019, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/326330.

2) Mousa, Deena. “Why are we still superstitious?” Scientific American, 3 May 2024,

3) Damisch, L., Stoberock, B., & Mussweiler, T. (2010). Keep Your Fingers Crossed!:

How Superstition Improves Performance. Psychological Science, 21(7), 1014-1020.

4) Lasikiewicz, N. and Teo, W.Y. (2018), The effect of superstitious thinking on

psychosocial stress responses and perceived task performance. Asian J Soc

5) Risen, J. L. (2016). Believing what we do not believe: Acquiescence to superstitious

beliefs and other powerful intuitions. Psychological Review, 123(2), 182–207.

6) Fatik Baran Mandal, Superstitions: A Culturally Transmitted Human Behavior,

International Journal of Psychology and Behavioral Sciences, Vol. 8 No. 4, 2018, pp.

65-69. doi: 10.5923/j.ijpbs.20180804.02.

7) Vyse, S.A, Believing in magic: The psychology of superstition. New York: Oxford

University Press, 1997.

8) Abbott, Kevin & Sherratt, Thomas. (2011). The evolution of superstition through

optimal use of incomplete information. Animal Behaviour - ANIM BEHAV. 82. 85-92.

10.1016/j.anbehav.2011.04.002.

9) Foster, Kevin R, and Hanna Kokko. “The evolution of superstitious and

superstition-like behaviour.” Proceedings. Biological sciences vol. 276,1654 (2009):

31-7. doi:10.1098/rspb.2008.0981


Written by: Haizel Jibu

 
 
 

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