I found this article very interesting, because I for one carry a good luck charm with me at all times. The most interesting this i found from this article is the difference in nerves between people who considered themselves luck to those who considered themselves unlucky. A way to look at this is people make their own luck by making the most of the current situation, while the unlucky are far to nervous to take advantage of the situation.
The other interesting part of Wiseman's article was the effect that people felt that lucky charms had on them because I have carried one for almost my entire life, and very rarly if ever have it away from me. What I found interesting was that people found no positive difference in holding the charm as compared to when they were not holding the charm. The oposite effect was far more likely and people felt that the charm had been bringing bad luck if it was bringing any luck at all and were relieved when they could return the charm and no longer had to wear it.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I agree this was a very interesting part of the article. I would think that lucky charms have a positive influence over people because they are optimistic and convinced it will bring them luck. Wiseman's article relieved otherwise.
ReplyDeleteIt was intriguing to see that people thought they were bringing bad luck because the only reason people typically carry them are for good luck. For me this became another example of how people feel the need to blame alternative things, like objects or others, for bad occurences; rather than take the blame themselves for their decisions and actions.
ReplyDeleteI love going to the casino to see people's mechanisms of gambling. I have seen people with what they would call "lucky charms" like a lucky picture, key chain, stuffed animal, and so on. My aunt actually taps the glass on the slot machine. She feels that brings luck to her game! I just think she looks goofy!
ReplyDeleteThe part about the actual affect on the person carrying the "lucky charm" was very interesting. It makes you wonder, is it comforting simply because it is an item of familiarity maybe in an unfamiliar situation?
ReplyDelete