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Superstitious Behavior

Definition

This refers to a behavior that is linked to a particular outcome based on the belief in cause and effect, despite there being no logical or scientific connection between them.

Analogy

Imagine you're playing a video game and you win a difficult level while sitting in a certain position. If you start believing that sitting in that same position will help you win all future levels, even though there's no real connection between your sitting position and the game's outcome, that's superstitious behavior.

Related terms

Classical Conditioning: A learning process where two stimuli are repeatedly paired; a response initially elicited by the second stimulus is eventually elicited by the first stimulus alone.

Operant Conditioning: A type of learning where behavior is controlled by consequences. Key concepts in operant conditioning are positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, positive punishment and negative punishment.

Confirmation Bias: The tendency to search for, interpret, favor, and recall information in a way that confirms one's preexisting beliefs or hypotheses.