Topics for Consideration




I have always had trouble believing in superstitions. What does a specific date have to do with luck or lack thereof? Who decided that Friday 13th was the spookiest day of the year? Thousands of people believe in superstitions and sayings and have been for hundreds of years. Some through religious beliefs, some through experience and some through stories told by others, elders or friends. A lot of these ideas have to do with bad luck, such as why one shouldn't break a mirror or why black cats are dangerous. While I dont believe that knocking on wood will prevent a tragedy from occurring, there is still a little inkling of fear. Why is that? Superstitions have been around for so long, reality gets over time. Are superstitions just coincidences that have occurred or is there a science behind it? 


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  1. Michael GoellerJanuary 31, 2021 at 9:04 AM

    I think the general theory about superstitions is that they are intended to give people the illusion of control over things that are based a lot on chance. Sailors and farmers have traditionally had a lot of superstitions, some of which may actually have some basis in knowledge but most of which are just ways of feeling more in control. If you pursue this, you might analyze superstitions in a particular field (e.g.: among Wall Street traders) or based on a particular common theme. Jung's concept of "synchronicity" might be useful.

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    1. Michael GoellerJanuary 31, 2021 at 9:06 AM

      I think you will find a lot of research on this topic, so it might help to just start scouting the territory online and searching the Rutgers libraries database.

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