Methodological and theoretical improvements in the study of superstitious beliefs and behaviour

Abstract

Via four studies (N = 901), we developed an improved Belief in Superstition Scale (BSS) composed of three distinct components (belief in bad luck, belief in good luck, and the belief that luck can be changed), whose structure was supported through exploratory (Study 1) and confirmatory (Studies 2 and 3) factor analyses using divergent samples. We found that among theoretical predictors, higher 'chance' locus of control (i.e., the belief that chance/fate controls one's life) best predicted all three BSS subscales (Studies 2-3). In Study 3, we found that BSS subscale scores were reliable, but largely invariant across age and education with a non-general psychology sample. In Study 4, the BSS subscales best predicted participants' superstitious attitudes and behaviour in a new lottery drawing paradigm among other commonly used superstition scales. Taken together, our results indicate that the BSS is a valuable addition to the burgeoning research on superstitious attitudes and behaviour.

The development of the illusion of control and sense of agency in 7- to-12-year old children and adults

“…Furthermore, a locus of control scale for children was included (Nowicki & Strickland, 1971), as developmental changes in illusory control may be accompanied by changes in the perceived locus of control (internal vs. external) as well (e.g. Fluke, Webster, & Saucier, 2014). For instance, in recent work it was found that an external locus of control is associated with increased levels of superstition (Fluke et al, 2014).…”

“…Fluke, Webster, & Saucier, 2014). For instance, in recent work it was found that an external locus of control is associated with increased levels of superstition (Fluke et al, 2014). An external locus of control may enhance magical thinking, as belief in magic provides a mechanism to restore one's subjective feelings of control by deriving compensatory control from an external source, such as a deity, fate or karma (Kay, Gaucher, McGregor, & Nash, 2010).…”

Social Explanations of Lottery Play: New Evidence Based on National Survey Data

“…Future research could examine both theoretically and empirically if social and psychological explanations interact with each other. Psychological research has found that belief in good luck is associated with fantasy proneness and positive expectations regarding the outcome of events that are related to luck (Darke and Freedman 1997;Day and Maltby 2003;Fluke et al 2014). Thus, the theory of imaginative qualities of lottery could be integrated in the cognitive theory of gambling.…”

Exploring Different Types of Superstitious Beliefs in Risk-Taking Behaviors

“…The category that is commonly used in assessing superstitious beliefs is divided into two types: negative superstitions that involve certain behaviors or omens that are associated with unlucky or harmful consequences (e.g., breaking a mirror, walking under a ladder, or using the number 13) and positive superstitions that involve a desire to bring about lucky or preferable consequences (e.g., carrying a lucky charm, touching wood, or crossing fingers; Fluke et al, 2014; Wiseman & Watt, 2004). Fluke and his colleagues (2014) found differences in positive and negative superstitious beliefs toward lottery drawing behavior. Their results show that only consumers who believe in negative superstition are more likely to report greater confidence in winning a lottery with their selected numbers.…”

“…Prior research found that people differ in their superstitious beliefs and that such differences predict superstitious behavior (Fluke, Webster, & Saucier, 2014). Hernandez, Wang, Minor, and Liu (2008) proposed a framework that identifies two types of superstitious beliefs— proactive and passive .…”