For luck or out of fear, superstitions are common

By Randi Martin

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WASHINGTON - Do you avoid black cats and hide on Friday the 13th? Or maybe you
knock on wood and carry a rabbit's foot.

If you answered yes, then you are superstitious. But why?

According to Stuart Vyse, professor of psychology at Connecticut College and
author of "Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition," it's because we
live in an uncertain world.

"It's called the illusion of control," Vyse says.

"People believe that they have
control in situations where, in fact, it's completely random."

Vyse says most superstitions are learned from others, since they are passed down
from generation to generation.

"If you have been raised in a family where there were superstitions, they will
stick with you," he says.

Some believe that clutching that rabbits foot or avoiding sidewalk cracks will
help them get what they want or get them through a certain task. Vyse admits that
these practices do have a psychological effect.

For those athletes who wear dirty winning socks, there is some evidence that
engaging in superstitious behavior can enhance performance.

However, as a scientist, Vyse says he prefers not to believe in magical things.

"I stand firmly for reason over unreason. Most superstitions are low-cost, low-
energy and they provide psychological benefits for the person, so typically (they)
can't hurt."

So just how superstitious are you? Here's a
list of some common superstitions
from The Committee for Skeptical Inquiry.

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