Reliance on luck: identifying which achievement goals elicit superstitious behavior

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Behavioral Science
• Cognitive Science

Background:

• Superstitious behavior is often employed to enhance goal attainment.
• The type of achievement goal may influence the likelihood of engaging in such behaviors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if the type of achievement goal (performance vs. learning) affects superstitious behavior.
• To explore the moderating roles of individual differences and situational factors.

Main Methods:

• Six studies were conducted, employing correlational and experimental designs.
• Methods included measuring chronic goal orientation, priming goal pursuit, manipulating uncertainty, and assessing preferences for lucky items.

Main Results:

• Performance goals were more strongly associated with superstitious behavior than learning goals.
• Superstitious behavior correlated with chronic performance orientation and increased with goal uncertainty for performance goals.
• Priming performance goals and using lucky items enhanced confidence in achieving performance goals.

Conclusions:

• The pursuit of performance goals, unlike learning goals, is particularly linked to superstitious behavior.
• Situational factors like uncertainty amplify superstitious tendencies when performance is at stake.
• Understanding goal-type differences is crucial for explaining superstitious behavior in achievement contexts.