Belief in mystical practices can enhance performance levels due to increased self-assurance

In a groundbreaking study published in Psychological Science, Lysann Damisch, a researcher from the University of Cologne, has found that superstitions can improve performance in various tasks.

Damisch's experiments revealed that superstitions, whether activated by someone else or unique to the individual, have a positive effect on a variety of tasks, both physical and mental. In one experiment, students who held their lucky charms felt more confident and scored better in a word-making task, setting loftier goals and working on the problem for longer.

The psychologist's findings suggest that superstitions work by prompting feelings of good luck, making people more confident in themselves, and leading them to try harder and aim higher at the things they do. This extra optimism, it seems, accounts for their success.

Interestingly, Damisch deliberately focused on positive superstitions associated with good luck in her study, and did not investigate the effects of superstitions linked to misfortune. The study also did not delve into the negative side of superstitions or their psychological drawbacks.

Previously, it was noted that people tend to spot false connections in unrelated events and accept superstitious rituals if they lack a sense of control in their lives. Damisch's study adds to this understanding, showing that superstitions can indeed provide temporary benefits, but could potentially prevent people from taking responsibility for changing their own fates.

In another study by Damisch, 41 students who had their lucky charms performed better in a memory game compared to those who did not. Additionally, 51 students completing a dexterity challenge finished faster when they were told to cross their fingers (the German equivalent), demonstrating the impact of superstitions on physical tasks as well.

It is important to note that the effectiveness of superstitions is consistent whether they are activated by someone else or unique to the individual. However, the effects of conspiracy theories or religious traditions on our ability to understand the world around us and to make decisions in our lives is a different matter entirely.

The reference for the study is Psychological Science (http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0956797610372631 or http://pss.sagepub.com/content/early/2010/05/27/0956797610372631). The image for this article is by Phyzome.

While the study provides insights into the positive effects of superstitions, it is essential to consider these findings as part of a bigger psychological canvas. The long-term implications and potential drawbacks of relying on superstitions still require further research.