The Power of Faith: How Religious Superstitious Behavior Influences Self-Confidence
Abstract
This study investigates the psychological effects of religious superstitious behavior on self-confidence. Historically, religious activities like praying or wearing religious amulets have been linked to psychological advantages including lowered anxiety and increased resilience. We surveyed 100 college students at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (ages 19-22)by using a correlational research design, to evaluate their levels of religious superstitious behavior and self-confidence. Participants completed an online Qualtrics survey measuring the variables. Results indicate a positive correlation between religious superstitious behavior and self-confidence so the finding suggests that religious superstitions may serve as tools to increase self-confidence. While the limitations of the study will be sample homogeneity and self-report bias.
References
- Keinan, G. (2002). The effects of stress and desire for control on superstitious behavior. Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 28(1), 102–108. https://doi.org/10.1177/0146167202281009.
- Rudski, J. M. (2004). The illusion of control, superstitious belief, and optimism. Current Psychology, 22(4), 306–315. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-004-1036-8.
- Damisch, L., Stoberock, B., & Mussweiler, T. (2010). Keep your fingers crossed! How superstition improves.performance.Psychological.Science,21(7),1014.1020.https://doi.org/10.1177/0956797610372631.
- Knoll, Ross W., et al. “Development and Initial Test of the Safety Behaviors in Test Anxiety Questionnaire: Superstitious Behavior, Reassurance Seeking, Test Anxiety, and Test Performance.” Assessment., vol. 26, no. 2, 2019, pp. 271–80, https://doi.org/10.1177/1073191116686685.
- Futrell, B. (2011). A closer look at the relationship between superstitious behaviors and trait anxiety. Rollins Scholarship Online. https://scholarship.rollins.edu/rurj/vol5/iss2/5/ .