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Touch wood! Survey reveals secrets of the nation's superstitions

March 17, 2003

An online survey into the nation's beliefs has revealed that, amongst its respondents, women are more superstitious than men and the Scots appear to be the most superstitious people in the UK. The survey, carried out during National Science Week by the BA (British Association for the Advancement of Science) and psychologist Dr. Richard Wiseman, also reveals that touching wood is the most common superstition.

The survey revealed the following about the people who took part in the survey:

The current levels of superstitious behaviour and beliefs in the UK are surprisingly high, even among those with a scientific background.

Touching wood is the most popular UK superstition, followed by crossing fingers, avoiding ladders, not smashing mirrors, carrying a lucky charm and having superstitious beliefs about the number 13.

The Scots top the UK superstition table, followed by the English, the Welsh and Northern Irish.

Women are more superstitious than men, and young people are more superstitious than old.

Superstitious people tend to worry about life, have a strong need for control, and have a low tolerance for ambiguity.

The many bizarre personal superstitions collected during the survey illustrate the extent of modern day superstitious behaviour.

"This is a self-selecting sample, so we need to treat the results with some caution," said Dr Wiseman. "However, they have given a real insight into the world of superstitions and what people believe. It also appears that the rise in science and technology has not stopped people holding unusual beliefs."

In addition to gauging how superstitious people were, the survey also asked people about their own idiosyncratic beliefs. Amongst the more unusual were:

I always avoid staying in the bathroom once the toilet has been flushed.

When a clock has matching numbers, such as 12:12, I have to say 1212 out loud.

Whenever I see a hearse, I touch my collar until I see a bird.

The survey was run as part of National Science Week 2003 (7-16 March), which is co-ordinated by the BA.

British Association for the Advancement of Science (The BA)

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