As changing, vulnerable and tangible beings we understand that magic is something that we wanted to eradicate from reality and link only directly with childhood thoughts.
But what about our need to control our own stay?, understanding this as the tool that exists within us, to realize our desires and allow us to reduce anguish.
In this sense, we perceive our existence as uncontrollable and face its circumstances, but sometimes beyond coincidences we must allow ourselves to understand the causalities that position us in this reality.
In order to face magical thinking we must know it, so in the following article we will know its concept, its characteristics and the reasons for its foundation.
What is magical thinking?
In theAPA (American Psychological Association), they define magical thinking as the belief in being able to influence the behavior of others or distant events through thought, desires or rituals.
It is considered supernatural and usually generates controversy through different criteria, between cultures and individual thoughts. Therefore, in general terms, it is summarized as the strong belief that our thoughts can have influence and produce changes in the external world.
Characteristics of magical thinking
The different characteristics that encompass magical thinking, are debated about the power of mind over matter, and then we will present certain attributions for its greater understanding and create the separation gap with science and psychology.
It is based on illogical attributions
His explanatory method is far from scientific. In the bookScale to measure magical thinking , Moral in 2009 defined this type of thoughts as those that have a tendency to attribute intentions and wills to inanimate objects, to explain natural phenomena through invisible and supernatural causes that act on this world.
The facts are justified through the supernatural
In the psychological and medicinal area, there are believers of this type of thought and they have carried out research studies, where they evaluate the relationship of supernatural attributions to specific events. They even believe in the intervention of spiritual aspects, alluding to the mechanisms of professionals.
This is usually attributed to the element of analogy, where in the article Magical thinking: design and validation of an instrument , he composes it as the basis of the magical element, including principles of similarity and contagion, thus influencing the believer.
Exists in most cultures
It has been part of many cultures through the years, allowing it to even be part of something and organize it through an order based on a spiritual explanation, which over time became unquestionable and a single criterion.
Even in these beliefs, the mentally ill could only be possessed by entities, according to their conceptions, and what is debated about these paradigms is how they limited the quality of life of many individuals through these circumstances.
It manifests itself through superstition and delusions
In the research work on Magical thinking in psychology students , the validity of the content of these thoughts is criticized, because they do not show clarity regarding the positive and negative.
In fact, there are authors who consider that the superstition that these types of thoughts carry are rooted in what we consider to be the soul, mind and spirit.
Occurs in everyday situations
Magical thoughts, as previously mentioned, are accompanied by analogy, they are not exclusive without involving everyday situations. There is knowledge that comes from this type of experience, and these are the ones that promote the construction of interaction, which allows us to deal with daily occurrences.
It is represented in childhood through egocentrism
It is usually identified with periods of infantile egocentrism , which occurs in periods of age between two and seven years, within which it is difficult to understand the world around them and the center of their existence is themselves.
In these circumstances, children may believe they have the power to influence things in the mind or even be to blame for things in which they were not involved.
May be helpful in reducing anxiety
The belief that we can change reality and control what happens to us is something that at a psychological level allows us to reduce worries or agonies that uncertainty always generates in us.
Usually generates a placebo effect
The placebo allows the desired effect to occur, according to the consumer’s need (such as the use of a false remedy), and the main search of those who deceive with these systems, focuses on magical thinking.
It happens that people who constantly suffer from anxiety are exposed to coincidences that alter behavior and allow the use of circumstances in effect of healing through magic.
could become detrimental
In the research work on The influence of magical thinking in decision making , it is exposed how this type of thoughts influences objectivity and rationality to control their own responses in frequent situations.
It can also affect leadership, since the problem is that the positivism of people with magical thoughts borders on childish and very far from reality.
Causes of magical thinking
The reasons for a person to develop the ability to relate everything at their disposal to modify reality, have certain elements that can be considered as causes or triggers. They will be explained below.
proximity of events
The realization of the facts after having thought, desired or declared them is sufficient reason for people to consider themselves responsible for what happened, be it positively or negatively.
Related thoughts
In the same way, as previously mentioned, it is an illogical attribution of the events that occurred, especially when the author really believes that his thoughts have power over his own reality and that of others.
They can even be considered with the ability to serve as an intermediary for the realization of events.
Examples of magical thinking
Next, we will mention classic examples of the attributions that usually occur within magical thoughts, at different stages and under different circumstances.
In the childhood
Beliefs in fairies, Santa Claus, wise men, little mouse perez, ghosts or imaginary friends are examples of suggestions that link to magical thoughts at this stage. Perhaps even thinking that it is raining because the child wishes it were.
in supernatural thoughts
They are superstitions, such as miracles, belief in sorcery, and even high levels of fanaticism in religions.
In psychological disorders
Sometimes the presence of obsessive compulsive disorders are triggers for magical thoughts. It is a clear manifestation and in some cases it affects reasoning, such as believing that something bad is going to happen and having to block thoughts so that it does not happen… Because thanks to them, we could be responsible.
University Professional in the area of Human Resources, Postgraduate in Occupational Health and Hygiene of the Work Environment, 14 years of experience in the area of health. Interested in topics of Psychology, Occupational Health, and General Medicine.