What are Superstitions?
Superstitions have attracted the attention of humanity for centuries by shaping our behavior and influencing our decisions. Although they may seem illogical or even irrational, there is a fascinating relationship between superstitions and psychology.
Despite the advancement of science, these centuries-old traditions continue, surprising us with their mysteries. In this blog, we aim to explore the complex connection between superstitions and psychology, shedding light on the key factors that contribute to their permanence and impact. Superstitions often arise from the human tendency to perceive patterns and establish relationships between irrelevant events. This cognitive bias, known as misleading correlation, leads us to attribute cause-and-effect relationships only to events that are incidental. For example, an athlete wearing a specific pair of socks during a successful game may believe that socks bring good luck, although there is no logical connection between the socks and the outcome. Our brain leads to superstitions by searching for meaning and order, even if it may not exist.
How Does the Psychology of Superstitions Affect Us?
Superstitions have a profound impact on our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and affect how we perceive and interact with the world. Whether we consciously accept it or not, these beliefs shape our decision-making processes, provide psychological comfort, and contribute to a sense of control.
What Can Be the Positive and Negative Effects of the Psychology of Superstitions?
Positive effects include emotional comfort, feeling safe, and belonging to that culture. At the same time, the person can develop a coping mechanism with superstitions.
When we examine the negative aspects, we can see the elements of anxiety and addiction. Because people worry when they do not have superstitions and the situation ends in failure. This leads to the reinforcement of superstitions.
Another negative situation is irrational decision making. Believing in superstitions can lead to irrational decision-making based on unfounded beliefs rather than evidence or logic. Relying on superstitions to make important choices can inhibit critical thinking and lead to inadequate results.
Superstitions and the Pigeon Experiment
Psychologist Frederic Skinner studies superstitions with pigeons. In this study, he sees that pigeons develop superstitions through conditioning. In his experiment, he first puts the pigeon in the cage and throws bait into the cage at 15-second intervals. After a while, he observed that the pigeon behaved unexpectedly; it wagged its tail, turned around rapidly, and flapped its wings. Whatever movement the pigeon was making when the bait was thrown into the cage; he thought that the oath came thanks to that movement. For this reason, he repeated his behavior by chance and waited for the oath to come. Because; the behavior that is benefited as a result of random action is reinforced and the repetition and continuity of this behavior is ensured in this way.
Although superstitions can offer psychological benefits, it is important to approach them critically. Promoting a rational mindset and scientific literacy can help individuals assess the validity of superstitions and make informed decisions. Understanding the psychological underpinnings of superstitions can give individuals the power to question their beliefs and rely on evidence-based reasoning. While superstitions are deeply ingrained, promoting critical thinking and scientific understanding allows us to navigate the world from a balanced perspective, acknowledging the cultural importance of superstitions while embracing rationality. Author: Psychologist Berfin Gurbet Mutlu
