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Cited by 251Paranormal Experiences and BeliefsSport Psychology and PerformanceDecision-Making and Behavioral Economics

The DOI matches its Crossref record; 43 of the 44 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.

Keep Your Fingers Crossed!: How Superstition Improves Performance

Damisch, Lysann, Stoberock, Barbara, Mussweiler, Thomas·2010·Psychological Science
DOI 10.1177/0956797610372631
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Abstract

Superstitions are typically seen as inconsequential creations of irrational minds. Nevertheless, many people rely on superstitious thoughts and practices in their daily routines in order to gain good luck. To date, little is known about the consequences and potential benefits of such superstitions. The present research closes this gap by demonstrating performance benefits of superstitions and identifying their underlying psychological mechanisms. Specifically, Experiments 1 through 4 show that activating good-luck-related superstitions via a common saying or action (e.g., “break a leg,” keeping one’s fingers crossed) or a lucky charm improves subsequent performance in golfing, motor dexterity, memory, and anagram games. Furthermore, Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrate that these performance benefits are produced by changes in perceived self-efficacy. Activating a superstition boosts participants’ confidence in mastering upcoming tasks, which in turn improves performance. Finally, Experiment 4 shows that increased task persistence constitutes one means by which self-efficacy, enhanced by superstition, improves performance.

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Citations

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Show all 44 references

Research works printed but not linked: 6

  1. Buhrmann H.G., 1981, Journal of Sport Behavior, 4, 163
  2. Crusius J., 2010, To achieve or not to achieve? Assimilation and contrast in goal priming
  3. Czech D.R., 2004, Journal of Sport Behavior, 27, 323
  4. Lobmeyer D., 1986, Journal of Sport Behavior, 9, 70
  5. Van Raalte J.L., 1991, Journal of Sport Behavior, 14, 41
  6. Womack M., 1992, Sport and religion, 191

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Metadata

Authors
Damisch, L., Stoberock, B., & Mussweiler, T.
Affiliations
University of Cologne (DE)
Corresponding author
Damisch, Lysann
ORCID
Mussweiler, Thomas
Venue
Psychological Science
Publisher
SAGE Publications
Published
2010-05-28
Volume
21
Issue
7
Pages
1014-1020
ISSN
  • 0956-7976 (ISSN-L)
  • 1467-9280
DOI
10.1177/0956797610372631
OpenAlex
W2147094445
Cited by
251
References
44
Citations by year
2026: 12 · 2025: 23 · 2024: 10 · 2023: 17 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 15 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 16 · 2018: 11 · 2017: 29 · 2016: 17 · 2015: 16 · 2014: 19 · 2013: 12 · 2012: 14
FWCI
15.23
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
journals.sagepub.com/page/policies/text-and-data-mining-license (tdm)
Locations
  • Psychological Science (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Association for Psychological Science
  • Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Universität Hannover
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Social Psychology › Paranormal Experiences and Beliefs
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Developmental and Educational Psychology › Sport Psychology and Performance
  • Social Sciences › Decision Sciences › General Decision Sciences › Decision-Making and Behavioral Economics
Keywords
superstition, good fortune, performance improvement, self-efficacy, task persistence, lucky charms, golf performance, motor dexterity, memory, anagram solving
MeSH terms
Female, Humans, Male, Memory, Motor Skills, Sports, Students, Superstitions, Task Performance and Analysis

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