Effects of stress and tolerance of ambiguity on magical thinking.

Abstract

The present study investigated the relationship between psychological stress and magical thinking and the extent to which such a relationship may be moderated by individuals' tolerance of ambiguity. Questionnaires assessing different types of magical thinking and tolerance of ambiguity were administered to 174 Israeli citizens who, during the Gulf War, resided in areas that were either exposed (high-stress condition) or not exposed (low-stress condition) to missile attacks. Magical thinking emerged more frequently in Ss under high-stress conditions than in those under low-stress conditions. Furthermore, high stress levels exerted a more pronounced effect on the emergence of magical thinking in individuals with low tolerance of ambiguity than in those with high tolerance. Results are discussed in relation to the concept of personal control and coping strategies adopted by individuals for attaining such control. I thank Daniel Kahneman for his stimulating comments and Yael Burla for her assistance in collecting the data.

The Psychology of Rituals: An Integrative Review and Process-Based Framework

“…Similar to ritualistic compulsions, religious rituals Psychology of Rituals 14 are known to be activated during times of anxiety and negative emotion (Ahler & Tamney, 1964;Anastasi & Newberg, 2008). Particularly compelling, a large survey sample of Israeli citizens demonstrated that those who happened to reside in areas exposed to missile attack during the Gulf War were more likely to engage in magical thinking and religious rites than those who resided in areas not exposed to attack (Keinan, 1994).…”

“…Ritualized behaviors seem particularly likely to emerge under circumstances characterized by negative emotions such as high anxiety, uncertainty, and stress (Celsi, 1993;Keinan, 1994;Lang et al, 2015;Padgett & Jorgenson, 1982). Perhaps the earliest description of the link between anxious uncertainty and rituals is Bronislaw Malinowski's (1954) observation of fishing behaviors among the Trobriand Islanders in Melanesia in the early 1900s.…”

The psychology of rituals: An integrative review and process-based framework

“…Similar to ritualistic compulsions, religious rituals are known to be activated during times of anxiety and negative emotion (Ahler & Tamney, 1964;Anastasi & Newberg, 2008). Particularly compelling, a large survey sample of Israeli citizens demonstrated that those who happened to reside in areas exposed to missile attack during the Gulf War were more likely to engage in magical thinking and religious rites than those who resided in areas not exposed to attack (Keinan, 1994).…”

“…Ritualized behaviors seem particularly likely to emerge under circumstances characterized by negative emotions such as high anxiety, uncertainty, and stress (Celsi, Rose, & Leigh, 1993;Keinan, 1994;Lang, Krátký, Shaver, Jerotijević, & Xygalatas, 2015;Padgett & Jorgenson, 1982). Perhaps the earliest description of the link between anxious uncertainty and rituals is Bronislaw Malinowski's (1954) observation of fishing behaviors among the Trobriand Islanders in Melanesia in the early 1900s.…”

Intrinsic Religiosity and Attitude toward Finales as Precursors of Superstitious Beliefs: A Cross-Cultural Investigation

“…For determinants, event importance, low levels of control, negative emotion, psychological stress, and uncertainty levels boost superstition proclivity (Dudley, 2000;Keinan, 1994;Rudski and Edwards, 2007;Schippers and Van Lange, 2006;Whitson and Galinsky, 2008), whereas attending church and preparing for athletic competition and scholastic exams negatively affect superstition propensity (Rudski and Edwards, 2007;Torgler, 2007). Additional superstition precursors includebelief in fate, lower need for learning, sports enthusiasm, and wobbly conviction in heaven and hell (Mowen and Carlson, 2003).…”