There is an interesting article from todays New York Times about magical thinking in children well worth checking out.
Psychologists and anthropologists have typically turned to faith healers, tribal cultures or New Age spiritualists to study the underpinnings of belief in superstition or magical powers. Yet they could just as well have examined their own neighbors, lab assistants or even some fellow scientists. New research demonstrates that habits of so-called magical thinking -- the belief, for instance, that wishing harm on a loathed colleague or relative might make him sick -- are far more common than people acknowledge.
There is even an undergrad from Texas applying to Michigan to get her Ph.D. in Psychology. Any of you guys know if she's getting in?
A graduate school application can go sour in as many ways as a blind date. The personal essay might seem too eager, the references too casual. The admissions officer on duty might be nursing a grudge. Or a hangover.Rachel Riskind of Austin, Tex., nonetheless has a good feeling about her chances for admittance to the University of Michigan's exclusive graduate program in psychology, and it's not just a matter of her qualifications.
On a recent afternoon, as she was working on the admissions application, she went out for lunch with co-workers. Walking from the car to the restaurant in a misting rain, she saw a woman stroll by with a Michigan umbrella.
"I felt it was a sign; you almost never see Michigan stuff here," said Ms. Riskind, 22. "And I guess I think that has given me a kind of confidence. Even if it's a false confidence, I know that that in itself can help people do well."
I don't think the writer realizes graduate school applications aren't reviewed like college applications - they are reviewed during drinking - not after when you have a hangover...(and certainly not by admissions office staff).
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I'm not sure I agree with this comment from the writer:
"If the tendency to think magically were no more than self-defeating superstition, then over the pitiless history of human evolution it should have all but disappeared in intellectually mature adults."
The idea is that there must be some advantage for this behavior (it must be selected for to be maintained), but not all biological traits are maintained due to obvious selective pressures. Most can be explained as byproducts of history that aren't selected against. It seems an especially weak assertion in a species where cultural evolution is so important. The author notes that we tend to bring up our (western) kids on the tooth fairy and Santa myths. And just when they figure that out, we spring prayer on them? That makes me re-think the fun I had this past Christmas with my own son and Santa since I do not intend to fill the void with further mythical entities later on. Maybe we pave the way for this retention of magical thinking as adults by our society's constant references to the power of imaginary entities. Payton tells us he was praying during his final drive this weekend, and low and behold, some powere stepped in and decided to make most of New England unhappy. Makes a lotta sense, NOT.
Nonetheless, it is an interesting topic for study.