We like to think of ourselves as rational, modern people who trust science. Yet, most of us will still knock on wood to avoid jinxing a good situation. Superstitions are deeply ingrained in our culture, surviving centuries of progress. Why do we cling to these irrational rituals? Psychologically, they give us a sense of control in a chaotic world. Even if we know it doesn’t make logical sense, the ritual creates a soothing placebo effect. Here are seven strange superstitions and the psychology behind why we believe them.
