Feeling Jinxed? Touch Wood to Nullify the Negative Effect

Many of us are so superstitious that we fear things will go wrong especially if a cat crosses our path or a mirror breaks at home.

A new study has suggested that this constant fear of bad luck due to superstitions can be reversed by carrying out a ritual like touching wood or throwing salt.

Increasing concerns about bad fortune among participants were reversed through actions that involve pushing the negative force away.

Researchers found that those who performed actions such as touching wood or throwing a ball away lowered the negative expectations generated by fate.

'Our findings suggest that not all actions to undo a jinx are equally effective,' explained Dr Jane Risen from the University of Chicago's Booth School of Business.

'Instead, we find that avoidant actions that exert force away from one's representation of self are especially effective for reducing the anticipated negative consequences following a jinx. Engaging in an avoidant action seems to create the sense that the bad luck is being pushed away.'



Source: Medindia