The Psychology of Luck

What Counts as a Superstition? Superstition isn’t just about walking under ladders or breaking mirrors. At its core, it’s the belief that certain actions or objects can influence outcomes in mysterious, invisible ways. It’s less about logic and more about hope, routine, and sometimes, fear. You can’t measure it, but people swear by it. Across […]

What We Think Luck Is vs. What It Actually Feels Like Most people treat luck like rolling dice. Pure chance. Completely outside of control. But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear that luck isn’t that straightforward. Two people can walk into the same situation one feels lucky, the other doesn’t. The difference? How they

What “Unlucky” Really Means to the Brain When something goes wrong whether it’s losing a game, missing an opportunity, or simply having a bad day our brains don’t just accept it as a one off event. Instead, we instinctively look for a reason, a pattern, or a story to make sense of what happened. This

Understanding Losing Streaks Losing streaks occur when setbacks follow in quick succession. Individuals often link these streaks to external factors. Encountering repeated failures, like in sports events or poker games, can lead people to perceive their continued losses as misfortune rather than self-error. A psychological mechanism, known as attribution bias, comes into play where individuals

How VR, AR, and Mobile Tech Are Redefining Your Downtime The concept of leisure has transformed dramatically, moving far beyond passive media consumption toward active, engaging experiences. This evolution is driven by innovations in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), and powerful mobile platforms that are making our downtime more immersive, interactive, and accessible than

Understanding Luck and Risk-Taking Luck and risk-taking are central to the psychology of gambling decisions. Luck, often perceived as an uncontrollable force, can significantly impact an individual’s decision-making process. Some studies, like those from the Journal of Gambling Studies, show people often attribute wins to skill and losses to bad luck, creating a cognitive bias.

Understanding Luck and Skill Luck and skill often intertwine to shape outcomes, creating a complex relationship that our minds struggle to separate. Recognizing their distinct roles offers a clearer lens through which to view success and failure. Definitions and Differences Luck refers to random, uncontrollable events influencing outcomes. Skill, in contrast, encompasses the knowledge and

Understanding Cultural Beliefs Cultural beliefs serve as a lens through which individuals interpret luck. These beliefs, rooted in historical narratives and traditions, provide the framework for what is considered lucky or unlucky in various societies. For example, many Western cultures view the number 13 as unlucky, while in Chinese culture, the number 8 signifies prosperity