Very Superstitious!!!!!

Feliz Cinco de Mayo mis Monos!

Ahh, the fifth of May is upon us yet once again! Cinco de Mayo does NOT mark Mexico's independence from Spain as some may believe; that was September 15th, 1810. May 5th 1862 was the date when the Mexican army, with a little help from the Union & Confederate armies, whooped some French ass; despite the French army being twice as large as the Mexican. I relish in celebrating the courage and determination of the Mexican army whoopin Napolean's gang of tight-wearing cheese-smelling Frenchmen back in 1862; that, and I love having an excuse to drink mass quantities of tequila and Negra Modelo...but I digress. (http://www.vivacincodemayo.org/history.htm)

The topic today is "superstition"... basically, it's everywhere! Despite science and reason, people still cling to illogical and flat-out ridiculous beliefs. We're going to take a look at some "superstitions" and try and figure out why the hell they're still around. But first, what the hell is "superstition?" (besides a really good Stevie Wonder song!)

"Superstition"
1) An irrational belief that an object, action, or circumstance not logically related to a course of events influences its outcome.
2) A belief, practice, or rite irrationally maintained by ignorance of the laws of nature or by faith in magic or chance.
3) A fearful or abject state of mind resulting from such ignorance or irrationality.
4) Idolatry.

Okay, we've got a definition, but where does "superstitious belief" come from?

Psychologically, I would say that it is a result of erroneous associations that have been created to protect the ego, provide emotional stability, and/or explain misunderstood phenomena. Superstitions are perpetuated by cultural influence and exasperated with lower levels of education and understanding of the true nature of how variables interact to produce outcomes.

Erroneous Association
Back in 1947, our good behaviorist buddy, B.F. Skinner, published a paper called "'Superstition' in the Pigeon" (Skinner, 1947). Without going into too much detail, Skinner hooked up a mechanism to deliver food at regular intervals throughout the day to a group of hungry pigeons. He found that the pigeons associated different variables & behaviors with the introduction of food even though there were no such associations other than a time interval. Basically, the pigeons performed ritualistic behaviors in front of the mechanism, which they erroneously associated with triggering the mechanism to deliver them food. (Note: Modern behaviorists dispute Skinner's explanation of his pigeons' behavior, but it still serves as a interesting launching point...)

Are we any better than a damn pigeon?

• Prayer. Some may associate prayer with external events when there may not be a direct linkage. Studies on the effects of prayer have shown benefits to the individual praying in terms of emotional coping and satisfaction levels ; however, there has NOT been any evidence of a direct impact of prayer on external events.
• Luck. I hate the phrases "good luck" & "bad luck" Luck is only apparent in retrospect; if things turn out to your benefit, then it's "good luck" or you're "lucky"; however, if things don't turn out the way you like, they it's "bad luck" or you're "unlucky". Luck is mistakenly perceived as a sort of personal attribute that is erroneously associated with situational outcomes; while reality-based circumstances, variables, and the actual probabilities of different outcomes are ignored.
• Ghosts. Sure, Ghostbusters was an awesome movie, but you don't see me checking the ectoplasmic energy levels to make sure demon spawn doesn't tear through the dimensional fabric in my closet to devour my soul while I sleep! Humans are organic material built upon a complex foundation of random sub-particle energy. It's true that this energy is re-distributed following the organic "death" of a person; however, it is UNtrue that "personality" or any other personal attribute of a person survives to haunt you after their brain stops neurochemical-electrical activity.

I believe that Stevie Wonder summed it up well:

Very superstitious....Writing on the wall
Very superstitious....Ladder's 'bout to fall
Thirteen month old baby....Broke that looking glass
Seven years of bad luck....Good things in the past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer....Superstition ain't the way.

Very superstitious....Wash your face and hands
Rid me of the problem....Get all that you can
Keep me in a daydream....Keep me going strong
You don't want to save me....Sad is my song
When you believe in things that you don't understand
Then you suffer....Superstition ain't the way.

Very superstitious....Nothing more to say
Very superstitious....Devil's on his way
Thirteen month old baby....Broke that looking glass
Seven years of bad luck....Good things in the past
When you believe in things that you don't understand
You will suffer....Superstition ain't the way.

The questions for y'all:

Superstitions; quaint beliefs of the past that helped people cope with the ignorance of understanding the true nature of how things work, or is it sanctioned ignorance that is perpetuated by cultural acceptance?

What are some of your own superstitions, and how do they help you?

All right, click the "comments" link right below to read the responses of others, as well as jot down your own responses. "NO" you don't have to be a member of Blogger to put in your $0.02; Just select "Other" for your identity, type in your name, and post your comments... that's it.... simple as falling down after drinking large quantities of tequila!