Is there a better day to talk about superstition than Friday, February 13? Each of us can recall examples of our own small or widely shared superstitions, yet few of us know how they relate to personality traits or uncertainty.
Superstition is one of the most widespread and persistent forms of irrational thinking, present across all cultures and historical periods. Beginning with a brief illustration of the strong presence of superstition in our everyday behavior, Prof. Dr. Goran Knežević will introduce us to the definition of superstition, its theoretical framework, and methods of measurement. As we will have the opportunity to learn about superstition from a psychologist, we will gain deeper insight into its nomological network, its links with personality traits, cognitive characteristics, thinking styles, and socio-demographic factors.
By discussing the neurocognitive mechanisms underlying our tendency to perceive patterns and structures in randomness—as a general mechanism of learning and adaptation—we will better understand why superstition intensifies under conditions of uncertainty, stress, and loss of control, and why it is systematically associated with crises, poverty, and social instability.
One of the intriguing topics we will explore is the contemporary ecology of superstition, revealing the spaces where it “lives” today, including digital media, conspiracy theories, and pseudoscience. This will also be an opportunity to analyze the relationship between superstition and religion, and to consider whether—and to what extent—superstitious beliefs and behaviors can be influenced through education and critical thinking. Thanks to Dr. Knežević’s lecture, we will learn that superstition is not merely a cognitive error, but rather the price we pay for our ability to learn and to seek meaning in a world largely shaped by chance, instability, and unexpected change.
Admission is free and registration is not required.