Stress
Many people carry out superstitious rituals to help improve their chances of obtaining particular outcomes. While such routines are often harmless, some people place too much reliance on superstitions and allow them to control their lives.
Kay Taylor looks at recent research to determine why people use individual rituals, how such dependence affects people’s lives, and what actions borderline on obsession.
Men wear ‘lucky’ pants to calm their nerves and boost confidence on a first date, according to recent research.
Wearing ‘lucky’ clothing, such as pants, shirts and socks scored high on men’s list of superstitious rituals before getting ready for a date, an exam or job interview, as they feel that this will improve their chances of a successful outcome.
While tried-and-tested rituals can help people feel relaxed and self-confident, some people rely on their routines to an extreme whereby they feel out of control, and unable to deal with situations independently.
From a study titled ‘Loss of control behind Superstitions, Rituals, Conspiracy Theories’(1), Professor Adam Galinsky says: “The less control people have over their lives, the more likely they are to try and regain control through mental gymnastics.
“Feelings of control are so important to people that a lack of control is inherently threateningâ€.
When people place such a heavy reliance on superstitious rituals, they consequently diminish their own self-belief in being able to complete a task effectively, which reduces their confidence in the long-term
Using ‘lucky’ charms may improve people’s perceptions of their own ability to succeed and impress others, but it is essentially the amount of work they put into a given ‘task’, whether this be seducing a partner or getting a new job, which predominantly contributes to the overall outcome.
When people place such a heavy reliance on superstitious rituals, they consequently diminish their own self-belief in being able to complete a task effectively, which reduces their confidence in the long-term.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn focuses on sporting rituals as a basis for examining the effect of superstitions on people’s mental-health, but his principles apply to all means of obsessive routines (2).
Dr. Cohn says: “Superstitions are based on the notion that if a certain behavior once brought you good luck, repeating that behavior will bring you more luckâ€.
In this sense, superstitions are irrational, and do not guarantee any certain outcome.
Dr. Cohn continues: “I would argue that anything that enhances faith in performance is a bonus. But I’d also offer a warning: Never believe that superstition is the only reason for successâ€.
While a combination of hard work and self-confidence can contribute towards securing a job position or scoring well on an exam, people arguably have less control over issues such as safe travelling and illnesses.
If a person drives as safely as possible, there is no guarantee that another driver will be driving in a similar precautious manner, and accidents can’t always be avoided.
Likewise, when a family member becomes ill, people who rely on superstitious rituals may feel responsible and at fault if they lost their ‘lucky’ charm, or simply feel unable to control the situation.
Sarah Albert, author of ‘The Psychology of Superstition. Is 'magical' thinking hurting or helping you?’ (3), says: “Superstitions can play a negative role in our lives, especially when combined with a bad habit such as gambling.
“If you’re a compulsive gambler who believes that you can get lucky, then that belief may contribute to your problemâ€.
She also discusses phobic superstitions, which differ from preparation rituals. Phobic superstitions develop from the belief that bad things will happen if people ignore superstitious signs and omens.
“People who are afraid of Friday the 13th might change travel arrangements or skip an appointment because of unnecessary anxietyâ€, says Albert. “These types of superstitions offer no benefit at allâ€.
Noting the similarities between superstitious behaviors and obsessive compulsive disorders, Albert advises that people only need to seek medical help if they experience symptoms of anxiety such as tension, excessive worry, sleeping troubles, obsessive thoughts and exhaustion in connection with their superstitious thoughts and actions.
Superstitions, such as knocking on wood for good luck and avoiding walking under ladders, are scientifically irrational, but research shows that some people’s individual rituals are more a token of sentimental value, rather than from a fear of something going wrong.
Nicotinell (4) research showed that women opt to wear sentimental jewellery, and some buy house plants when moving in to new homes. Men enjoy listening to their favourite music before meeting a potential partner, and feel more confident when wearing their favourite clothes.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn believes that people can use their rituals to achieve a higher likelihood of succeeding throughout life, by controlling the overall effect that rituals have on them.
The important purposes for establishing positive rituals are to focus the mind, instill confidence and to help people trust their own abilities
If people use rituals as a means of improving a situation only when necessary, such as doing gentle exercise before a sporting game to ‘warm-up’, this will have a positive effect on the outcome.
He states that the important purposes for establishing positive rituals are to focus the mind, instill confidence and to help people trust their own abilities.
In this way, people can develop sensible routines to help build confidence and calm nerves, rather than placing an over-reliant dependence on irrational superstitions.
By Kay Taylor.
(1)Taken from the McCombs School of Business website.
(2)Taken from the Peak Performance Sports website.
(3)Taken from the Medicinenet website.
(4)Research from Nicotinell, the official smoke free partner of The Football League.
Many people carry out superstitious rituals to help improve their chances of obtaining particular outcomes. While such routines are often harmless, some people place too much reliance on superstitions and allow them to control their lives.
Kay Taylor looks at recent research to determine why people use individual rituals, how such dependence affects people’s lives, and what actions borderline on obsession.
Men wear ‘lucky’ pants to calm their nerves and boost confidence on a first date, according to recent research.
Wearing ‘lucky’ clothing, such as pants, shirts and socks scored high on men’s list of superstitious rituals before getting ready for a date, an exam or job interview, as they feel that this will improve their chances of a successful outcome.
While tried-and-tested rituals can help people feel relaxed and self-confident, some people rely on their routines to an extreme whereby they feel out of control, and unable to deal with situations independently.
From a study titled ‘Loss of control behind Superstitions, Rituals, Conspiracy Theories’(1), Professor Adam Galinsky says: “The less control people have over their lives, the more likely they are to try and regain control through mental gymnastics.
“Feelings of control are so important to people that a lack of control is inherently threateningâ€.
When people place such a heavy reliance on superstitious rituals, they consequently diminish their own self-belief in being able to complete a task effectively, which reduces their confidence in the long-term
Using ‘lucky’ charms may improve people’s perceptions of their own ability to succeed and impress others, but it is essentially the amount of work they put into a given ‘task’, whether this be seducing a partner or getting a new job, which predominantly contributes to the overall outcome.
When people place such a heavy reliance on superstitious rituals, they consequently diminish their own self-belief in being able to complete a task effectively, which reduces their confidence in the long-term.
Dr. Patrick J. Cohn focuses on sporting rituals as a basis for examining the effect of superstitions on people’s mental-health, but his principles apply to all means of obsessive routines (2).
Dr. Cohn says: “Superstitions are based on the notion that if a certain behavior once brought you good luck, repeating that behavior will bring you more luckâ€.
In this sense, superstitions are irrational, and do not guarantee any certain outcome.
Dr. Cohn continues: “I would argue that anything that enhances faith in performance is a bonus. But I’d also offer a warning: Never believe that superstition is the only reason for successâ€.
While a combination of hard work and self-confidence can contribute towards securing a job position or scoring well on an exam, people arguably have less control over issues such as safe travelling and illnesses.
If a person drives as safely as possible, there is no guarantee that another driver will be driving in a similar precautious manner, and accidents can’t always be avoided.
Likewise, when a family member becomes ill, people who rely on superstitious rituals may feel responsible and at fault if they lost their ‘lucky’ charm, or simply feel unable to control the situation.
Sarah Albert, author of ‘The Psychology of Superstition. Is 'magical' thinking hurting or helping you?’ (3), says: “Superstitions can play a negative role in our lives, especially when combined with a bad habit such as gambling.
“If you’re a compulsive gambler who believes that you can get lucky, then that belief may contribute to your problemâ€.
She also discusses phobic superstitions, which differ from preparation rituals. Phobic superstitions develop from the belief that bad things will happen if people ignore superstitious signs and omens.
“People who are afraid of Friday the 13th might change travel arrangements or skip an appointment because of unnecessary anxietyâ€, says Albert. “These types of superstitions offer no benefit at allâ€.
Noting the similarities between superstitious behaviors and obsessive compulsive disorders, Albert advises that people only need to seek medical help if they experience symptoms of anxiety such as tension, excessive worry, sleeping troubles, obsessive thoughts and exhaustion in connection with their superstitious thoughts and actions.