Magical Thinking in Contemporary Societies: Effects, Mechanisms and Implications
Magical thinking in contemporary societies: effects, mechanisms and implications.
Eugene Subbotsky
A symposium proposal for the XIXth Biennial Meeting of ISSBD, July 2006, Melbourne, Australia
Despite the popular view that Western societies strongly rely on science and rational thinking, magical practices and superstitions remain widespread (Jahoda, 1968; Luhrman, 1989), beliefs in the paranormal phenomena abound (Hergovich, 2003), and controversial religious cults, manipulative psychotherapies and outbursts of religious fanaticism are on the increase (Singer et al.,1986). The phenomenal commercial success of fiction based on magical effects (e.g., “Harry Potter”, “Lord of the Rings”) shows a strong public interest in magical phenomena. This suggests that magical thinking still plays a major role in contemporary societies. The question arises as to why, in spite of the progress of science, magical thinking remains so influential?
This symposium aims to address this question by raising a wide range of issues, in particular: (1) to what developmental tasks in children of various ages and adults does magical thinking respond? (2) is there a developmental change in magical beliefs of older children and adults if compared with those in young children? (3) can this be the case that a fundamental mechanism of magical thinking – participation – also underlies one of the most powerful phenomena of mass communication – suggestibility? (4) can magical thinking be used in brainwashing techniques for establishing new religious cults or preparation of suicidal terrorists? (5) what practical implications does magical thinking have for educational, clinical and other socially important goals?
References
Hergovich, A. (2003). Field dependence, suggestibility and belief in paranormal
phenomena. Personality and Individual Differences, 34, 2, 195-209.
Jahoda, G. (1969). The psychology of superstition: London: Penguin
Luhrman, T. M. (1989). Persuasions of the witch’s craft: ritual magic and witchcraft in
present-day England. Oxford: Blackwell.
Singer, M., Goldstein, H, Langone, H., Miller, J.S., Temerlin, M.K., and West, L.J.
(1986). Report of the APA task force on deceptive and indirect techniques of persuasion and control. www.rickross.com/reference/apologist/apologist23.html
