Even if you pray for a wish, it’s not the case

We are all engaged in small acts Magical Thoughts Don’t think about it again. Perhaps you will chant a wish before blowing a birthday candle, knock on wood after seducing your fate, or resist the specific words or actions you are in fear It could be “jinx.” These rituals are usually harmless, but how deeply they are Magical Thoughts It is woven into our daily lives. Unchecked, magical thinking can prevent us from actually seeing reality instead of perceiving what we want.

Magical thinking is cognitive distortion. It refers to the illogical belief that the identification of our thoughts, rituals, or actions can affect external events without evidence or rational basis (Brashier & Multithaup, 2017). Superstitions often reflect lighthearted intentions and cultural traditions, but can in particular reflect confusion, uncertainty, and deeper coping strategies. stress.

Research shows that the frequency of magical thinking and superstitious behavior increases under conditions of stress. When people are facing uncertainty, magical thinking can turn ambiguity into possibilities, thus enabling the construction of a reduced space anxietyproviding comfort and maintaining hope (Yannik, Handelman & Taylor, 2011).

Clinical cases of magical thinking have attracted attention for serious psychological diagnosis. Obsessive Compulsiveness Disability and schizophrenia (Fite, Adut & Magee, 2020). But more subtle forms of magical thinking are ubiquitous, which acts like negotiation tips and rationalization to keep and reduce anxiety; Cognitive Dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort that your beliefs, values, or attitudes feel either against each other or in conflict with your actions (Festinger, 1957). When faced with this dissonance-producing situation, the resulting stress creates the urgency to correct tension, either through attitude or behavioral changes.

Hopeful thinking is a type of magical thinking in which people adopt beliefs based on what they want to be true rather than evidence. When someone has personal beliefs that contradict reality, they experience cognitive dissonance. The mind wants a way to solve it because it feels unbearable. A person can then use mental strategies to justify sticking to wishful beliefs rather than accepting empirically contradictory evidence. For example, instead of leaving a fateful relationship, someone might imagine, “After we have a baby, things will get better.” Rather than facing conflict directly, magical thinking becomes a buffer to avoid difficult tasks that require attitude or attitude Changes in behavior.

Magical thinking is fascinating. Because it can quickly alleviate anxiety and quieten the dissonance between what we want and what we fear. Self-sedation is effective and harmless in minor scenarios where even deceptive self-sedation is not available (for example, wanting a flight to land safely). However, magical thinking becomes unhealthy when used to make informed decisions or as an alternative to critical thinking when choices are important (i.e. smoking Stop; global warming).

Ironically, trying to avoid certain thoughts and feelings can actually lead to more permanent thoughts and feelings. This is an effect known as the ironic process theory or the pink elephant paradox (Wegner, Schneider, Carter & White, 1987). I’m trying to suppress my thoughts self control Strategy has a paradoxical effect, and sometimes even produces the very obsessions and preconceptions that it is directed towards.

Furthermore, over time, even subtle magical thoughts can distort judgments. If people do not want to accept reality, they are immune to critical evidence, strengthened bias, and are more likely to make poorer choices than underestimating risk and overestimating control (Buehler & McFarland, 2001; Kunda, 1990).

For most people, it’s limited motivation To abandon magical thinking. Magical thinking provides comfort, a sense of control and emotional relief in uncertain situations. It is the ability to reduce immediate pain and provides short-term satisfaction, so people often reluctant to let go of it. Especially when you are facing the limits of your control over unpleasant truth, ambiguity, or negative possibilities. People rarely give up on magical thinking just because it is irrational. They abandon it when costs outweigh the profits and when they have other ways to regulate their insecurities and maintain hope.

For individuals and society to change, two conditions must change motivations. First, people must realize that magical thinking is causing harm to them by encouraging them to be poor decision makingmissed opportunities and negative consequences. No changes occur. rejection It is no longer effective as a protection against unwanted outcomes. Second, alternative and available tools must be in place for self-sedation of anxiety and uncertainty resistance. When individuals learn to regulate emotions, manage anxiety, think critically, and accept uncertainty, they become less dependent on irrational beliefs and rituals (Carleton, 2016). Strategies include being involved Mindfulness Accepting psychological therapy and critical thinking for problem-solving.

When you’re motivated, you can implement steps to reduce your dependence on magical thinking. Like most, this starts with recognition. Simply recognizing cognitive biases can reduce their impact. By asking yourself what evidence of a particular belief is, you are assessing whether the belief is supported by facts or simply aligns with personal desires and fears. Trying to understand the truth opens up your mind to other possibilities.

Be aware of yourself in an unpredictable context where you can reduce control and most likely to cause magical thoughts. Hopeful thoughts and Optimism. Positive thinking You can build motivation, Resilience and Creativity Without turning a blind eye to reality. In the long run, this will help you reduce your anxiety and move beyond the basics, so you strive to build tolerance for uncertainty Defense mechanismit wasn’t like denial or wanting anything. Mindfulness practices help to develop non-judgmental and detached acceptance of harsh truths, and can undermine the automatic link between anxiety and magical thinking. Furthermore, rooting in values ​​such as consciousness and truth can change the experience of uncertainty and amplify clarity, stability and tranquility.