SUPERSTITIONS

 

THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SUPERSTITION

There is some indication that people who are down on their luck or struggling with some crisis are more adapt to be superstitious.  One study that would support this is:

Torgler, B. (2007, October). Determinants of superstition. Journal of Socio-Economics,
            36(5), 713-733. Retrieved October 26, 2008, doi:10.1016/j.socec.2007.01.007


“Age and gender have a strong analytical impact on superstition. A higher age is correlated with a lower degree of superstition and women are more superstitious than men. Interestingly, the lowest social classes have also the lowest superstition values. There is the tendency that a higher education leads to a statistically significantly lower rate of superstition, but relatively low marginal effects indicate a moderate analytical significance. Furthermore, unemployed individuals have a stronger belief in superstition than full-time employees, and widowed, divorced and separated people a stronger one than singles. Thus, superstition might be a sort of “spiritual help” in more difficult situations in life.”

A study by John McLeish also suggests that younger children and girls in particular are more adapt to believe in superstition.

McLeish, John.  (Fall 1984).  Children’s Superstitions:  British and Canadian.  Canadian Journal of
          Education
v19 n4 p425-36. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No.EJ307307
)

“A 100-item test covering nine areas of superstitious belief administered with 10 control items to 1,749 Canadian and British children showed younger children and girls were more superstitious than older children and boys. Academically inclined children were less superstitious. Science-based education had little effect. Implications for Canadian education are discussed. (NEC)”