Exploring the relationship between superstition and defensive pessimism
File(s)
Date
2017-04Author
Olson, Rebecca N. S.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin--Stout. Office of Research and Sponsored Programs
Advisor(s)
Lovejoy, Carol M.
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
This study examines the relationship between superstitious beliefs
and defensive pessimism. Superstitions are beliefs or rituals that help
control stress and increase positive or reduce negative outcomes (Vyse,
2014). Defensive pessimism is a coping strategy that helps control fears
and anxieties during performance by analyzing every scenario that could
go wrong in order to prepare and harness one’s energy to produce positive
outcomes (Norem, 2001). Participants were recruited via Facebook to
complete survey measures of both factors. Results of a Pearson’s r correlation
revealed that a positive relationship exists between defensive pessimism
and superstition, however this relationship was only significant for women.
Future studies should examine this relationship to determine if the two work
synonymously or independently of one another to reduce anxiety or enhance
performance.
Subject
correlation
superstitions
defensive pessimism
Permanent Link
http://digital.library.wisc.edu/1793/77577Description
Research article with tables.
Citation
Olson, R. N. S. (2017). Exploring the relationship between superstition and defensive pessimism. University of Wisconsin-Stout Journal of Student Research, 16, 60-70.