Effects of stress and tolerance of ambiguity on magical thinking.
Abstract
The present study investigated the relationship between psychological stress and magical thinking and the extent to which such a relationship may be moderated by individuals' tolerance of ambiguity. Questionnaires assessing different types of magical thinking and tolerance of ambiguity were administered to 174 Israeli citizens who, during the Gulf War, resided in areas that were either exposed (high-stress condition) or not exposed (low-stress condition) to missile attacks. Magical thinking emerged more frequently in Ss under high-stress conditions than in those under low-stress conditions. Furthermore, high stress levels exerted a more pronounced effect on the emergence of magical thinking in individuals with low tolerance of ambiguity than in those with high tolerance
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Ritualized behaviors seem particularly likely to emerge under circumstances characterized by negative emotions such as high anxiety, uncertainty, and stress.
“Ritualized behaviors seem particularly likely to emerge under circumstances characterized by negative emotions such as high anxiety, uncertainty, and stress (Celsi, Rose, & Leigh, 1993;Keinan, 1994;Lang, Krátký, Shaver, Jerotijević, & Xygalatas, 2015;Padgett & Jorgenson, 1982).”
From The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework (2018) · cites this paper as Keinan, 1994
A large survey of Israeli citizens found that those residing in areas exposed to missile attack during the Gulf War were more likely to engage in magical thinking and religious rites than those in areas not exposed.
“Particularly compelling, a large survey sample of Israeli citizens demonstrated that those who happened to reside in areas exposed to missile attack during the Gulf War were more likely to engage in magical thinking and religious rites than those who resided in areas not exposed to attack (Keinan, 1994).”
From The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework (2018) · cites this paper as Keinan, 1994
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- Authors
- Keinan, G.
- Affiliations
- Tel Aviv University (IL)
- Corresponding author
- Keinan, Giora
- Venue
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology
- Published
- 1994-07
- Volume
- 67
- Issue
- 1
- Pages
- 48-55
- ISSN
- 0022-3514 (ISSN-L)
- 1939-1315
- OpenAlex
- W2059269503
- Cited by
- 237
- References
- 0
- Citations by year
- 2026: 4 · 2025: 9 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 13 · 2021: 7 · 2020: 8 · 2019: 20 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 14 · 2016: 11 · 2015: 8 · 2014: 16 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 6
- FWCI
- 3.27
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Journal of Personality and Social Psychology (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
- Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
- Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
- Keywords
- magical thinking, psychological stress, ambiguity tolerance, Gulf War, missile attacks, war exposure, moderation, Gulf War illness
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