why do people believe in superstitions?

Question

Even though people know that there is no evidence behind these superstitions, people still choose to believe in them, or at least follow them.Why?

Answer 1

Because there is a universal need to believe in something bigger than ones self. This need is so great that when one event becomes associated with another in ones mind, the association is assumed to be causal. An example of this would be where a participant in a sporting event did or wore something different at the time that they made their first home run, touch down, etc. For ever afterward, they will associate the two things and will insist on doing or wearing whatever they associated with the good event as though that act or bit of clothing actually caused them to make the touch down, home run, etc. In these cases, I don't know why they can't accept the fact that they, themselves, actually did the thing rather than it being caused by some ritual or clothing item.

Answer 2

Why People Believe In Superstitions

Answer 3

Not quite true. Superstitions are based on:
the desire to answer questions about the mysteries of the natural world as a result of lack of scientific information and explanations.

A result of a series of co-incidences. Toger bone powder makes men more verile and stronger. Snakes give sex drive. Dog meat makes you warm in winter.

There are many superstitious practices - Don't walk under ladders, black cats crossing the path, #13, Open umberella indoors, Broken mirrors - So many all based on a serioes of incidents and wild, unsupported gossip.

Why - Ignorance, desire to believe, fear.

Answer 4

Some people believe in superstitions because they have been taught them by their family society. My mother was superstitious all of her life. I try not to be. But sometimes it seems useless to try. I would rather follow the superstitions then have someone blame me for something happening. For instance, washing on New Years Eve and on Cnristmas Eve. If you do laundry on these days supposedly you'll be washing for a person in your family who dies soon in the year. Who would want to be held responsible for that. Not I, so every year I don't wash clothes on those days. Not because I believe in it. But I hold respect for those family traditions. LOL

Answer 5

Stop by your local church. No theistic faith in existence is based on anything more than institutionalized superstition. When we are taught from day 1 to believe one superstition - to feel superior to, revile, and sometimes even kill those who don't share it - is it any wonder that other superstitions persist as well?

Answer 6

Because if you don't something bad will happen, LOL

Actually when ever the power is taken away from the individual they will tend to go seeking another answer, one which gives the some control on the matter in one way or another. This is prevalent through out all societies and all cultures.

Answer 7

because its a self concious thing.
when someone says, "dont walk under the ladder cuz you'll get bad luck" people start to think about it more and dont chance it.
soon it gets into their head that something could happen.
*presto*
people believe superstition because they are subconsiously cautious.
the same goes with chain letters.

Answer 8

Because they can be fun. And some people believe they are real. People can also follow them 'cuz they get paid for it or they have occupations based on superstitions.

Answer 9

they could be referred to as superstitions, yet some situations can't be defined. specific, I do have faith in superstitions, yet I in basic terms stay faraway from those that subject me the main.

Answer 10

Some people are just plain scared and don't want to get hurt. There are people who are so scared that they won't even leave their house to go in their backyard. That's a little overboard I know, but some people are down-right afraid.