RELIGIOUSNESS AND SUPERSTITIOUS BEHAVIOR TENDENCIES IN SPORT
Oral Presentation
Paper ID : 1514-12THCONG
Authors
1Department of religious studies
2Marmara Üniversitesi
3Boğaziçi University
Abstract
Paranormal, magical and superstitious beliefs are seen in most culture. Despite the scientific progress, which expected to eliminate those belief forms as irrational, people almost from all culture have still hold some sort of superstitious beliefs and exercise various forms of superstitious behaviors (e.g. knocking on woods, carrying talisman or evil eye, avoiding number thirteen). Research findings indicate that people with certain demographic features and people engaged in with certain occupations are prone to such beliefs. For instance, empirical evidences show that young individuals and women tend to be more superstitious than older individuals and men. Furthermore, some correlations in empirical research findings indicate that fishers, sport players, students and gamblers are prone to be superstitious (reviews: Vyse, 1997; Zusne & Jones, 1989).
Although studies on superstitious beliefs and their correlates are increasing in the world, studies on the psychology of superstition is limited in Turkey. This research explores the prevailing superstitious behavior tendencies in professional and amateur athletes and sport fans. The sample consist of 248 subjects recruited from various age cohorts and sport branches such as basketball, football, tennis, swimming, etc. The aim of the study was to examine superstitious behavior and practice frequencies according to demographic variables (age, gender and education), sport branch, experience (amateur or professional), type of superstitions and religiousness. We used The Superstitious Ritual Questionnaire developed by Buhrmann and Zaugg (1981) and adapted to Turkish by Barut (2008) to collect data. Findings reveal that majority of athlete do not have superstitious belief tendencies. Nevertheless, results indicate that superstitious beliefs and behaviors varied with sex, age, and various measures of athletic involvement. For instance, males were less likely than females to subscribe to superstitions; in some sport branches superstitions are prevalent. Contrary to our expectations, religiousness is not a significant predictor of superstitious behavior.
Although studies on superstitious beliefs and their correlates are increasing in the world, studies on the psychology of superstition is limited in Turkey. This research explores the prevailing superstitious behavior tendencies in professional and amateur athletes and sport fans. The sample consist of 248 subjects recruited from various age cohorts and sport branches such as basketball, football, tennis, swimming, etc. The aim of the study was to examine superstitious behavior and practice frequencies according to demographic variables (age, gender and education), sport branch, experience (amateur or professional), type of superstitions and religiousness. We used The Superstitious Ritual Questionnaire developed by Buhrmann and Zaugg (1981) and adapted to Turkish by Barut (2008) to collect data. Findings reveal that majority of athlete do not have superstitious belief tendencies. Nevertheless, results indicate that superstitious beliefs and behaviors varied with sex, age, and various measures of athletic involvement. For instance, males were less likely than females to subscribe to superstitions; in some sport branches superstitions are prevalent. Contrary to our expectations, religiousness is not a significant predictor of superstitious behavior.
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