For the project, the research team defined superstition as the belief in a casual relationship between an action, object, or ritual and an unrelated outcome. Such superstitious behaviour can include actions like wearing a lucky jersey or using good luck charms.
After performing two studies, the researchers developed three reasons for superstitious behaviour: individuals use superstitions to gain control over uncertainty; to decrease feelings of helplessness; and because it is easier to rely on superstition instead of coping strategies.
People sometimes fall back on their superstitions as a handicap; it's a parachute they think will help them out, note the authors.
After the studies, it was also theorised that when people thought about death, they would behave more superstitiously in an effort to gain a sense of control over it.
The researchers were interested in superstition because it they noted that it was frustrating when people do things that don't make sense.
The team has some tips to avoid superstitious behaviour...
- Don't believe in bad luck and take some ownership over what control you do have in situations.
- Be decisive and proactive. People who are less decisive believe in superstition more, and those who are proactive are less superstitious.
- Don't be in a situation where you have to rely on bad luck. Bad luck would never occur if only good things happened.
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