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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Modulation of the Neurophysiological Response to Fearful and Stressful Stimuli Through Repetitive Religious Chanting

Modulation of the Neurophysiological Response to Fearful and Stressful Stimuli Through Repetitive Religious Chanting

Published on: November 4, 2021

The value of superstitions.

Travis Ng¹, Terence Chong¹, Xin Du¹

¹Department of Economics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.

Journal of Economic Psychology

|April 15, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study quantifies the economic value of superstitions using vehicle license plate auctions. Superstitions hold significant economic value, explaining their persistence across human history and varying conditions.

Keywords:

Auction Superstitions

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Last Updated: Dec 24, 2025

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Area of Science:

Behavioral Economics
Cultural Economics

Background:

Superstitions persist in human civilization despite lacking rational basis.
Understanding the economic drivers of superstitious behavior is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

To estimate the economic value of superstitions.
To analyze how this value changes under different conditions.

Main Methods:

Analysis of auction data for vehicle license plates.
Econometric modeling to assess value variations.

Main Results:

Superstitions have a significant economic impact.
The value of superstitions varies across license plate types, policy environments, and macroeconomic conditions.

Conclusions:

The economic significance of superstitions justifies their enduring presence.
Observed variations in superstitious value align with economic principles.