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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 20, 2026

Measuring Attentional Biases for Threat in Children and Adults

Measuring Attentional Biases for Threat in Children and Adults

Published on: October 19, 2014

Measuring preschoolers' superstitious tendencies.

Kelly J Sheehan¹, Jennifer Van Reet, Christopher M Bloom

¹Department of Psychology, Northwestern University, 2120 Campus Drive, Suite 162, Evanston, IL 60208, United States. kellysheehan2011@u.northwestern.edu

Behavioural Processes

|July 26, 2012

Summary

Young children develop superstitious behaviors by associating random stimuli with desired outcomes. This study measured superstitious tendencies in children aged 3-5 using a computer-based learning task.

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Area of Science:

Developmental Psychology
Cognitive Development
Behavioral Science

Background:

Superstitious behaviors are well-documented in adults and animals.
Systematic assessment of superstitious tendencies in young children is lacking.
Understanding early superstitious behavior offers insights into cognitive development.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a method for measuring superstitious tendencies in young children.
To investigate the emergence of superstitious behavior in early childhood.
To explore the relationship between superstitious behavior and causal reasoning in children.

Main Methods:

Two studies utilized a computer-based learning paradigm with 3-5-year-old children.
Children tapped a computer to produce a target image.
A random sensory stimulus preceded the target image on half the trials, allowing measurement of superstitious tendencies via changes in tapping behavior.

Main Results:

Children increased their tapping rate during the presence of the sensory stimulus.
This indicates an association between the sensory stimulus and the target image, despite no causal link.
The findings suggest the development of superstitious tendencies in young children.

Conclusions:

The study successfully developed and validated a method to measure superstitious tendencies in young children.
Results highlight the early emergence of superstitious behavior and its potential link to developing causal knowledge.
Further research can explore the implications for understanding children's understanding of cause and effect.