Theme 1 - Superstitions and Beliefs - Why is this a Global Issue?

Superstitions are scientifically unexplained beliefs in some supernatural or higher power. Merriam Webster Dictionary defines it as “a belief or practice resulting from ignorance, fear of the unknown, trust in magic or chance, or a false conception of causation”. These beliefs may range from faith in a supreme higher being guiding everyone’s destinies to some mystical, dark energy driving people to commit inhumane actions. Superstitions encompass thoughts about omens, spells, charms, ghosts, astrology, and the like (Liveaboutdotcom, What is Superstition?).

 

Statistics

           

A poll conducted by Gallup News in September 1996, suggested:

“25% of Americans acknowledged that they were "very" (1%) or "somewhat" (24%) superstitious, up from 18% who said that in 1990. The poll also shows that younger people tend to be more superstitious than older people. Over a third (35%) of those under the age of 30 said they were superstitious, but the percentage declines as people get older, so that only 17% of those 65 and older were superstitious.”

 

These findings are  somewhat true even today. In fact, some recent research conducted by YouGov provides evidence that not only supports but emphasises similar trends:

 

“... older people report that they are less superstitious than younger people, and are more certain in their lack of superstition. Young people, ages 18-29, are the most likely to consider themselves superstitious (18%), and nearly two in five (37%) say "it depends". A majority in every other age group say that they are not superstitious…. Though only 13% percent of the population admits to being superstitious, many Americans (35%) consider picking up a penny to be good luck nonetheless.” (Jagel, 2014).

 

There is increasing evidence that suggests that participants may not describe them as outright superstitious but they do believe in a certain set of beliefs while not recognising that these are inherent superstitions.

 

Another interesting observation is that the common notion is that the youth are more rational and pragmatic than the old and therefore it is expected that the old would be more superstitious than the young. However, repeated studies on this matter show contradicting results. Thus, this notion itself can be read as a superstition that doesn’t base its logic on scientific thinking.

 

 

Causes

 

Researchers have predicted that the creation of a connection between two events or behaviors despite the absence of any such link, can lead to construction of superstitions. This is more technically called the “false cause bias”, it is basically the human cognitive bias that links two events that occur in succession and comprehends that the succeeding event has happened due to the leading event (Parvez, 2020). Such a mental understanding promotes the building of superstitions and is specially triggered when the second event is a bad one. In layman’s terms, false bias basically suggests that superstitions basically sprout from mental biases and not physical manifestations. It is all in the mind!

Another cause for the generation of superstitions is the blame game. Humans tend to want excuses or reasons to blame misfortune on and superstitions are an easy way for the mind to cross out rational causes for a bad event. When human actions cannot be blamed on physical realities, people tend to point fingers at some unknown, unseen mystical power or being. Often, when the fault lies in the person, such personal inabilities hurt one’s ego and the mind’s defense mechanisms resort to accusing bad luck, previous events or a supernatural presence.

Lack of control and existence of the unknown are a combination that frighten most humans. Humans have a tendency to need explanations for all kinds of happenings in their life. According to an associate professor of Psychology at the Kansas State University, Prof. Don Saucier (2013), people persist in their belief in superstitions because they see them as an instrument to take control of their destiny. The unknown can be terrifying and people may often attempt to overcome this vacuum by replacing this ignorance with irrational thought or in other words,  superstition. Saucier explains through his research that any kind of behavior can be classified as a superstition so long as the demeanor is associated with the belief that some other event may occur due to the said behavior. Hence, superstition may be classified as an attempt,  “to restore some prediction and control to (one’s) world" (Saucier, 2013)

Research in the past has frequently suggested that humans require a certain amount of ritualistic and habit driven behavior. According to an article published by Bustle, “people crave structure and security, and ritualistic behavior and beliefs fit right into that”. Superstitions that suggest people to perform a specific set of actions encourage greater belief due to the fact that they have a certain amount of concreteness that people can associate themselves with. Experts suggest that an event that carries a greater importance in our lives is often related to a larger number of ritualistic behaviors, and hence a greater number of superstitious practices.

Inheritance of superstitions is also a very popular cause for the practice. Adults who were taught certain traditions as a child, by their parents, who were taught by their own parents, and so on, tend to follow these traditions even in adulthood. These traditions, some of which are superstitions are passed on across generations and form the legacy of these individual families, neighborhoods and even larger cultures. They become newfound expressions of truth and essentially are ingrained into the minds of the people following these traditions as alternative versions of reality. This belief is also reinforced by the love for solidarity, and groupism - a tendency evident from numerous research studies. Humans may participate in observing certain superstitions simply because peers from their group - race, ethnicity, school, gender, economic background, etc - are involved in this belief. Thus, both heritage and desire for a feeling of unanimity with the crowd, fuel the existence of superstitions in society.

 

Common Superstitions Mistaken to be Truths

 

Superstitions are commonly associated with religious beliefs. However, there is much evidence to the contrary. A majority of superstitions are in fact based on fear, lack of scientific reasoning, certain events or context that mattered before but are no longer pertinent or prevalent in modern day. Here are some examples of common superstitions that have been so frequently practised that they have practically turned into traditions that are a part of our everyday behavior and have been established as ‘truths’ by generations.

 

 

1. God Bless You

The common notion of saying “god bless you” after someone sneezes began in the 6th century, during a certain plague, when Pope Gregory commanded people to say the phrase when someone sneezed as a way to pray for the wellbeing and health of others (Mack, 2018). Although based on a historic event, this superstition is also practised out of a fear that the devil may steal your soul when you sneeze or your own soul may be expelled out of the body if not blessed by God. Although it sounds unusual, people have been blindly practicing this tradition for years regardless of whether they know why and where it originated or whether or not science has determined the truth of this statement. (Overdeep, 2018).

 

2. Knock on Wood/Touch Wood

This is a phrase commonly said to ensure good luck. Although there is not much historical evidence behind this tradition available, there are some religious beliefs from which this tradition has stemmed. It is believed that “ancient pagan cultures… believed that spirits and gods resided in trees … (and knocking on trees) served to rouse the spirits and call on their protection” (Andrew, 2018). Christian cultures attribute this tradition “to the wood of the cross from Christ’s crucifixion” (Andrew, 2018). Modern researchers, however, attempt to give this superstition more existential roots including the reference of a game called ‘Tiggy Touchwood’ in a book by Steve Roud, titled, ‘The Lore of the Playground’ (Andrew, 2018). Thus, this superstition also has a number of theories behind its origins, most of which are not backed by scientific thought.

 

3. Broken Mirrors

Broken Mirrors are often considered a bad omen and a sign of misfortune and bad luck. People often assign seven years of bad luck to broken mirrors. The history behind this belief dictates that ancient Greeks “consulted mirror seers, who told their fortunes by analyzing their reflections”(Wolchover, 2011). This technique is described as catoptromancy. It is believed that a distorted image in the mirror was an indication of death. Broken mirrors would thus be a signal of ill fate. (Wolchover, 2011). Another addition made by Romans in the first century suggested that “peoples' health changed in seven year cycles” (Wolchover, 2011). A mirror showing a distorted image therefore meant seven years of bad luck (Wolchover, 2011).

 

References

Andrew, Evans (Aug 22, 2018). Why do people knock on wood for luck? History TV Channel. Retrieved from: https://www.history.com/news/why-do-people-knock-on-wood-for-luck

Higgins, Marissa (Feb 29, 2016). Bustle. Retrieved from: https://www.bustle.com/articles/144848-4-reasons-people-believe-in-superstitions-according-to-science

Jagel Katie, (Feb 18, 2014). Young Americans are more superstitious. YouGov.  Retrieved from: https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2014/02/18/young-americans-are-more-superstitious

Kansas State University (Oct 25, 2013) Psychology Professor Says Superstitions All About Trying to Control Fate. Retrieved from: https://www.k-state.edu/media/newsreleases/oct13/superstition102513.html

Liveaboutdotcom,(n.d.) What is Superstition? Retrieved from: www.liveabout.com/what-is-superstition-3298230

Mack, Lindsay E (Dec. 21, 2018).7 Superstitions That Are Actually Based On Truth. Romper. Retrieved from: https://www.romper.com/p/7-superstitions-that-are-actually-based-on-truth-15556322

Merriam Webster Dictionary, Definition of Superstition (n.d.), Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/superstition

Moore, David (Oct 13,2000). One in Four Americans is superstitious. Gallup News. Retrieved from: https://news.gallup.com/poll/2440/one-four-americans-superstitious.aspx

Overdeep, Meghan (May 17, 2018). The Crazy Reasons Why We Say, “Bless You” When Someone Sneezes. Southern Living. Retrieved from: https://www.southernliving.com/news/why-we-say-bless-you-after-a-sneeze

Parvez, Hanan (July 11, 2020). PsychMechanics. Retrieved from: https://www.psychmechanics.com/why-people-have-superstitious-beliefs/

Wolchover, Natalie. (September 19, 2011). The Surprising Origins of 9 Common Superstitions. LiveScience. Retrieved from: https://www.livescience.com/33507-origins-of-superstitions.html

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