What are superstitions?
There is no single definition of superstition, but superstition generally includes belief in supernatural forces such as fate, the desire to influence unpredictable factors, and the need to eliminate the uncertainty. included. Thus, individual beliefs and experiences drive superstition. That is why superstitions are generally irrational and often go against current scientific wisdom.
Psychologists who have studied the role of superstition have found that superstition stems from the assumption that there is a connection between unrelated events occurring at the same time. The idea is to There are many other superstitions, such as:
1. If a black cat crosses it, it will bring bad luck 2. If you break the mirror, you will have bad luck for 7 years 3. It is important to have a lucky charm, so that good things will happen. 4. When someone sneezes, you always say, “God bless you.” 5. If someone you know wants to go on stage, tell them to “break your leg” so they can perform well. The list can continue indefinitely. If you think that only people with neurosis or depression hold these beliefs, you would be mistaken. When building skyscrapers, architects omit the 13th floor. Baseball players have been known to wear the same unwashed shirt day after day when they are on a hitting streak. India’s Mumbai film industry, known as Bollywood, is reluctant to release films on the 13th of every month.
How does psychology explain the origin of superstitions? Before answering that question, it’s important to note that even the best psychologists and other experts cling to superstitions knowing that there is no evidence to support them. In fact, even the most scientific and rational among us can’t help but have some superstitions of our own.
The human mind quickly creates causal relationships between beliefs and events. If you believe in the dangers of Friday the 13th and something bad happens on that day, your superstitions are greatly reinforced.
Causality need not be between a superstitious belief and something bad. Just like a baseball player, if he is superstitious and starts his hitting streak wearing a red shirt, he will continue to wear it and prolong his hitting streak.
The human tendency to create causality helps explain another powerful motivator: a sense of control over events makes people feel better. For example, many soccer fans believe that if they don’t see their team play, they will lose. There are many variations on the same theme. are you superstitious? If so, you’re better off staying in bed and hiding, knocking on wood, postponing that flight, or going to another city and not starting a new project because today is another Friday the 13th. If you are among the millions of people who fear Friday the 13th, you may be suffering from Frigatiskadecaphobia!