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The illusion of control, superstitious belief, and optimism

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Abstract

Two hundred and seventy five participants each filled out three questionnaires examining the illusion of control, optimism/pessimism, and paranormal belief. The illusion of control was related to overall paranormal belief, an effect primarily due to the superstition and precognition sub-scales on the PBS-R. Optimism was positively and pessimism negatively related to religiosity on the PBS-R, and pessimism was also positively related to the superstition sub-scale. No relationships between optimism or pessimism and the illusion of control were observed. Results are discussed in terms of superstition and the illusion of control both arising from circumstances that are inherently random or uncontrollable, and how multiple definitions of optimism or superstition could have effected the results.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychology, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew Street, 18104, Allentown, PA

    Jeffrey Rudski

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  1. Jeffrey Rudski
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Correspondence to Jeffrey Rudski.

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Rudski, J. The illusion of control, superstitious belief, and optimism. Curr Psychol 22, 306–315 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-004-1036-8

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