Superstitions and professional sports share a long history. Many pros have been known to engage in ongoing, peculiar and ritualistic behaviour to ensure a win, particularly during playoff season. (Think lucky items of clothing and not shaving to name a few). But in the game of life, many of us can relate to these illogical idiosyncrasies. Why would walking under a ladder bring you bad luck? And how can knocking on wood possibly stave off misfortune? Logically, if asked, most people know there is no cause and effect between any of these behaviours. And yet we continue to throw salt and avoid black cats.
Why? Why not. For most of us, these are small little moments that don’t interrupt everyday living. They take up little time and effort with possible positive outcomes. All things considered, what’s the harm in trying? And if you’ve done it once with good results, that’s fuel for the next time.
While interviewing a Sunnybrook surgeon a few months ago, the topic of superstitions came up. He told me that similar to the general public, superstitions are common among medical practitioners. Many surgeons always start their playlist off with the same song, avoid saying certain words during procedures or write things in a patient’s chart in a particular order. Why tempt bad luck?
Dr. Peggy Richter is a leading expert in obsessive compulsive disorder, a condition that causes cycles of repetitive thoughts and behaviours, including compulsive rituals. She says that behaviors associated with superstitions are different and basically harmless as long as people have control over them and they don’t take over normal living. “I think most of us would feel really uncomfortable if we were told we couldn’t do things the way we’ve become accustomed to doing them,” she says.
Studies have shown that superstitions are more prevalent in professions and circumstances with higher degrees of uncertainty. And as Dr. Richter explains it, everyone craves a sense of control in certain circumstances. Doing things in a particular way can often fulfill that need. So keep on closing your umbrella indoors. It will only take a few seconds, and may give you that little something you need (fingers crossed).
I think we are discussing two different things here. Rituals and Superstition.
Research shows building rituals into your daily activity, whether surgery or just making a cup of tea, makes the experience richer.
As for superstition, we give it power by practicing it.
So, a ritual, like listening to music during surgery, yes; superstitious behavior, no.
Thank you so much for your comment, as this is certainly an intriguing topic. Dr. Richter says in lay terms, people use the word “ritual” to to refer to a comfortable or familiar routine, while in psychiatry, it refers to a certain pattern of behaviour that often must be adhered to rigidly. Some rituals include elements of superstition, in that people expect the outcome to be a positive one. Whether you put your clothes on in the same order hoping to have a good day, or you avoid walking under a ladder to ward off bad luck, it can all stem from the same belief that acting out a certain behaviour will result in something good or bring about a desired outcome.