Construction and behavioral validation of superstition scale (original) (raw)
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Understanding, defining and measuring the trait of superstition
2008
Superstitious beliefs influence a wide range of decisions and activities in the everyday life. Yet, superstition has received little attention in the consumer behaviour literature, which is surprising since superstitious behaviours are found in numerous related domains, such as sports , gambling or travelling. In the psychological and sociological literature, there is no consensus regarding the definition and measure of superstition . For some authors, superstition includes all types of paranormal beliefs (i.e. religion, astrology…) which we think are not relevant for superstition construct. Other authors have a very narrow definition of superstition restricting it to popular beliefs such as (black cats bring bad luck; if you break a mirror, you will have bad luck; the number 13 is unlucky"). The aim of this research is threefold: (1) to better define the superstition construct (2) to develop a scale that measures superstition and (3) to discuss the interest of superstition for marketing. An exploratory qualitative study allowed us to define superstition as "beliefs and/or practices that have no religious nor scientific foundations and which lead people to think that certain facts (external events or one's own actions), or objects can bring good or bad luck, or be signs announcing positive or negative consequences". Three quantitative data collections helped us develop a scale that contains 27 items and 5 dimensions (good fortune popular beliefs α = 0,84 ; misfortune popular beliefs α = 0,85 ; belief in destiny α = 0,83 ; magical thinking α = 0,86 ; defensive pessimism α = 0,67). Finally, the article concludes on future research and how the superstition construct could help explain irrational decision making.
The Struggle of Measurement of Attitudes Related To The Superstitious Beliefs
The aim of the scale which is developed is to measure attitudes related to superstitious beliefs. The aim of developing the scale is to separate individuals who believe superstitious beliefs within the frame of the scale items (having superstitious beliefs) and individuals who don't believe these each other. 70 items, which are scaled with five points likert scale, are adapted to two separate sample group and the psychometric characteristics of the scale are examined. The significance of difference between averages of sub-super group of item scores and statistics of explanatory factor analysis, item-total correlations and Cronbach Alpha Coefficient are evaluated on the first sample group and the final form of 23 items is created. By collecting data from the second sample of the final form which is created, the power of the scale items to represent the structure is tested with the explanatory factor analysis. It is concluded that the dependability of the final form of 23 items is high and the evidences obtained in relation to the construct validity are suitable. It is observed that participants' attitudes related to the superstitious beliefs differentiate in terms of variables of gender and educational backgrounds.
Journal of Socio-Economics, 2007
Although superstition is a common phenomenon in our modern society, only a few studies have explored empirically on what it depends. This paper investigates the factors which determine superstition, reporting some preliminary empirical results. The findings indicate that socio-demographic and socio-economic conditions matter. There seems to be a certain concurrence between churches and superstitious beliefs, the correlation between superstition and attendance of church and other religious activities being mostly negative. On the other hand, an overall greater religiosity increases superstition. The results also indicate that there is a strong variance in superstition in different countries. People from formerly Communist countries show a particularly high degree of superstition. It could therefore be concluded that superstition substituted the religious beliefs and activities eradicated during the Communist era.
Social and Psychological factors for Superstition: A Brief Literature Review
International Journal of Advance Study and Research Work, 2018
The present literature review focused on social and psychological factors associated with superstition. The literature included conceptual definition of superstition, prevalence and its probable underlying factors. It also sheds light upon the pros and cons for adherence with superstitious beliefs. Number of online articles published in peer reviewed journals, book reviews, abstracts, conference proceedings and dissertations were reviewed with a specific focus for psychosocial effects of superstition. The findings revealed that superstitious beliefs are widely spread and there are socio-learning predispositions which lie at backdrop of superstition. Superstition casts negative and positive influences on psychological health of individuals. Overall the paper is a worthy contribution for articulated understanding of phenomenon of superstition and its associated factors which opens horizons for further related and in depth inquiries.
2020
This paper examines the notions of illusions and beliefs, discussing some advantages offered by the study of these phenomena based on the concepts of superstitious behavior, superstition and superstitious rules. Among these advantages, the study highlights the possibility of researching these relationships in different levels of analysis, not only at the individual level, focusing on cultural level, this paper presents Cultural Materialism as an anthropological proposal for the consideration of these phenomena on the cultural level and based on adaptive principles, besides it discusses the experimental analysis of cultural practices and points out how they can help to understand how people in groups behave such as they are being effective in the control of the surrounding environment (when, sometimes, in fact, they are not). The paper offers an integrative proposal which makes easier behavior analysts' dialogue with social psychologists and offers some routes from cultural anal...
Predictors of Superstitious Beliefs Predictors of Superstitious Beliefs
This study investigated whether relationships exist among, personal control, coping mechanism, primary control, secondary control and superstitious beliefs. The participants were 375 Ghanaian student athletes (females =44%). They completed measures of self-reported superstitious beliefs, personal control, coping mechanisms, primary and secondary control strategies. The data were analyzed to evaluate the correlates of both positive and negative superstitious beliefs and how constructs of personal control, coping mechanisms and control strategies, predict positive and negative superstitious beliefs. The results indicated that personal control, coping mechanisms and control strategies were predictors of negative and positive superstitious beliefs. In the final model Exaggerated internal control, God-mediated control, emotional support, and substance use were predictors of negative superstitions. Exaggerated internal control, Substance use, Emotional support and Acceptance were predictors of positive superstitions. Athletes may activate different types of superstitious beliefs to cope and gain control in situations of uncertainty. Key Words: Ghana, coping mechanism, personal control, primary control, secondary control, and positive and negative superstitious beliefs.
A Scale to Measure Superstition
Journal of Social Sciences, 2007
The purpose of the study was to construct a scale to measure superstition in a rural setting. A total of 31 statements or items expressing superstition were collected through reviewing relevant literature, consultation with extension experts, social scientists, progressive farmers and local leaders Statements were carefully examined and edited as per the criteria of Edwards . The statements were employed to the rating by a battery of judges selected from Tilli union under Saturia upazila of Manikganj. Scale values (S) and inter-quartile range value (Q) were computed for these statements. Twenty two statements were selected for preparation of draft scale considering their scale and interquartile range value. The draft scale was administered on 100 randomly selected maize farmers of four villages of Tilli union under Saturia upazila. Critical ratio (t) was calculated for each of the statements. Finally, 20 statements having t≥1.75 were retained in the scale. Both reliability and validity of the scale were ascertained.
Predictors of superstitious beliefs
Journal of Psychology in Africa, 2016
This study investigated whether relationships exist among, personal control, coping mechanism, primary control, secondary control and superstitious beliefs. The participants were 375 Ghanaian student athletes (females =44%). They completed measures of self-reported superstitious beliefs, personal control, coping mechanisms, primary and secondary control strategies. The data were analyzed to evaluate the correlates of both positive and negative superstitious beliefs and how constructs of personal control, coping mechanisms and control strategies, predict positive and negative superstitious beliefs. The results indicated that personal control, coping mechanisms and control strategies were predictors of negative and positive superstitious beliefs. In the final model Exaggerated internal control, God-mediated control, emotional support, and substance use were predictors of negative superstitions. Exaggerated internal control, Substance use, Emotional support and Acceptance were predictors of positive superstitions. Athletes may activate different types of superstitious beliefs to cope and gain control in situations of uncertainty.
The structure of superstitious action – A further analysis of fresh evidence
Personality and Individual Differences, 2011
Wiseman and Watt’s short scales of positive and negative superstitions have attracted attention in the literature. Using a representative survey of the Australian state of Queensland, the six scale items were applied to 1243 respondents. Initial investigation using Cronbach’s alpha showed that one of the scales did not function properly. A factor analysis suggested that a four-item and a two-item scale best fitted the data. A Rasch analysis of all the items confirmed this, and showed that the conventional five-category response format was not appropriate, and that three categories fit the data better. The main conclusion is that the results do not support the Wiseman–Watt theory of three positive and three negative superstitions. It does not seem advisable to use these scales without substantial reformulation and re-testing.
An Analysis Of Superstitious Behaviour And Its Implications For Human Beings
Superstitious behaviours are defined as a behaviours that are based on a strong conviction of an incorrect establishment of cause and effect between two independent variables. There is evidence to demonstrate the existence of superstitious behaviours in not just human beings but also other species, including pigeons, dogs, chimpanzees, orang-utans and rats, due to their evolutionary significance. However, the following essay sought to focus on its implications for humans specifically, while also focussing on reviewing and analysing some of the major behavioural-theoretical perspectives on it. Superstitious behaviours were found to have implications for humans in terms of gambling, religion, rule-governed behaviour, verbal behaviour, and location changes. Evidence in the literature supporting these implications was explored, analysed and critiqued, in order to gain a deeper insight into the extent to which superstitious behaviours influence human lives, and support existing theoretical perspectives.