Do Superstitions Work?

A postcard illustrating a variety of good luck charms.

Think about the last time you avoided walking under a ladder. Or jumped over a crack so you didn’t step on it (and break your poor mother’s back). Or maybe you wore your lucky sweater on the day of a big presentation. And I’m guessing you probably say, “Bless you!” when someone sneezes (supposedly it keeps demons from taking up residence in someone’s body).

There are all kinds of rituals and objects that we have that we think will bring us good luck—they’re known as superstitions. They’re based on the idea that supernatural forces are influencing what happens to us. And when we stop to think logically about them (are demons really going to invade someone’s body right after they sneeze?), they might seem kind of ridiculous.

But they’re also a way to at least try and have some control over the world around us. Superstitions often become more popular when people feel like they aren’t in their control. And, as it turns out, sometimes those superstitions can actually be helpful! I went to Popular Science’s awesome podcast—The Weirdest Thing I Learned This Week—to explain more about the science of superstition.