Changes

==Etymology==

==Etymology==

[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] supersticion, from Anglo-French, from [[Latin]] superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as [[witness]] or [[survivor]]), from super- + stare to stand  

[https://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=English#ca._1100-1500_.09THE_MIDDLE_ENGLISH_PERIOD Middle English] supersticion, from Anglo-French, from [[Latin]] superstition-, superstitio, from superstit-, superstes standing over (as [[witness]] or [[survivor]]), from super- + stare to stand  

*Date: [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 13th century]

*Date: [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/13th_Century 13th century]

==Definitions==

==Definitions==

*1 a : a [[belief]] or [[practice]] resulting from ignorance, [[fear]] of the [[unknown]], [[trust]] in [[magic]] or [[chance]], or a false conception of [[causation]]  

*1 a : a [[belief]] or [[practice]] resulting from ignorance, [[fear]] of the [[unknown]], [[trust]] in [[magic]] or [[chance]], or a false conception of [[causation]]  

:b : an irrational abject [[attitude]] of [[mind]] toward the [[supernatural]], [[nature]], or [[God]] resulting from superstition

:b : an irrational abject [[attitude]] of [[mind]] toward the [[supernatural]], [[nature]], or [[God]] resulting from superstition

*2 : a notion maintained despite [[evidence]] to the contrary

*2 : a notion maintained despite [[evidence]] to the contrary

==Description==

==Description==

'''Superstition''' is a credulous [[belief]] or notion, not based on [[reason]], [[knowledge]], or [[experience]]. The [[word]] is often used pejoratively to refer to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_belief folk beliefs] deemed [[irrational]]. This leads to some superstitions being called "old wives' tales". It is also commonly applied to [[beliefs]] and [[practices]] surrounding [[luck]], [[prophecy]] and spiritual beings, particularly the irrational [[belief]] that future events can be influenced or foretold by specific unrelated prior [[events]].

'''Superstition''' is a credulous [[belief]] or notion, not based on [[reason]], [[knowledge]], or [[experience]]. The [[word]] is often used pejoratively to refer to [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folk_belief folk beliefs] deemed [[irrational]]. This leads to some superstitions being called "old wives' tales". It is also commonly applied to [[beliefs]] and [[practices]] surrounding [[luck]], [[prophecy]] and spiritual beings, particularly the irrational [[belief]] that future events can be influenced or foretold by specific unrelated prior [[events]].

The word is attested in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Century BC 1st century BC], notably in Cicero, Livy, Ovid, in the [[meaning]] of an unreasonable or excessive [[belief]] in [[fear]] or [[magic]], especially foreign or fantastical ideas. By the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Century 1st century AD], it came to refer to "religious [[awe]], sanctity; a religious [[rite]]" more generally.[2][3]

The word is attested in the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Century BC 1st century BC], notably in Cicero, Livy, Ovid, in the [[meaning]] of an unreasonable or excessive [[belief]] in [[fear]] or [[magic]], especially foreign or fantastical ideas. By the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Century 1st century AD], it came to refer to "religious [[awe]], sanctity; a religious [[rite]]" more generally.[2][3]

==Superstition and folklore==

==Superstition and folklore==

To European medieval [[scholars]] the [[word]] was applied to any [[beliefs]] outside of or in opposition to [[Christianity]]; today it is applied to conceptions without [[foundation]] in, or in contravention of, [[scientific]] and [[logical]] [[knowledge]].[4]  

To European medieval [[scholars]] the [[word]] was applied to any [[beliefs]] outside of or in opposition to [[Christianity]]; today it is applied to conceptions without [[foundation]] in, or in contravention of, [[scientific]] and [[logical]] [[knowledge]].[4]  

Some superstitions originated as religious [[practices]] that continued to be observed by people who no longer adhere to the [[religion]] that gave birth to the [[practice]]. Often the practices lost their [[original]] meaning in this [[process]]. In other cases, the practices are adapted to the current religion of the practicer. As an example, during the Christianizing of Europe, [[pagan]] symbols to ward off evil were replaced with the Christian cross.

Some superstitions originated as religious [[practices]] that continued to be observed by people who no longer adhere to the [[religion]] that gave birth to the [[practice]]. Often the practices lost their [[original]] meaning in this [[process]]. In other cases, the practices are adapted to the current religion of the practicer. As an example, during the Christianizing of Europe, [[pagan]] symbols to ward off evil were replaced with the Christian cross.

==Superstition and psychology==

==Superstition and psychology==

In 1948, behavioural psychologist [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.F._Skinner B.F. Skinner] published an article in the ''Journal of Experimental Psychology'', in which he described his pigeons exhibiting what appeared to be superstitious [[behaviour]]. One pigeon was making turns in its cage, another would swing its head in a [[pendulum]] [[motion]], while others also displayed a variety of other behaviours. Because these behaviours were all done ritualistically in an attempt to receive food from a dispenser, even though the dispenser had already been programmed to release food at set time intervals regardless of the pigeons' actions, Skinner believed that the pigeons were trying to [[influence]] their feeding schedule by [[performing]] these actions. He then extended this as a proposition regarding the nature of superstitious behaviour in humans.[5]

In 1948, behavioural psychologist [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/B.F._Skinner B.F. Skinner] published an article in the ''Journal of Experimental Psychology'', in which he described his pigeons exhibiting what appeared to be superstitious [[behaviour]]. One pigeon was making turns in its cage, another would swing its head in a [[pendulum]] [[motion]], while others also displayed a variety of other behaviours. Because these behaviours were all done ritualistically in an attempt to receive food from a dispenser, even though the dispenser had already been programmed to release food at set time intervals regardless of the pigeons' actions, Skinner believed that the pigeons were trying to [[influence]] their feeding schedule by [[performing]] these actions. He then extended this as a proposition regarding the nature of superstitious behaviour in humans.[5]

Skinner's theory regarding superstition being the [[nature]] of the pigeons' behaviour has been challenged by other psychologists such as Staddon and Simmelhag, who theorised an alternative explanation for the pigeons' behaviour.[6]

Skinner's theory regarding superstition being the [[nature]] of the pigeons' behaviour has been challenged by other psychologists such as Staddon and Simmelhag, who theorised an alternative explanation for the pigeons' behaviour.[6]