The Effects of Internal and External Expressions of Felt Luck On Performance

Superstitious actions and belief in luck should, hypothetically, have no causal relationship to the actual outcomes of events. However, many individuals still develop and observe superstitions to potentially increase the likelihood that events turn out in their favor (Abbott & Sherratt, 2011). Prior research has shown that individuals with superstitious tendencies tend to have better performance results (Damisch, Stoberock, & Mussweiler, 2010). The present study examines the differences between sources of felt luck, which are broken down into two categories: internal and external. Internal sources of luck are beliefs or actions that exist within the individual; for example, an individual’s belief that wearing a shirt would bring them luck. External sources of felt luck are activated from an outside source; for example, someone wishing an individual “good luck.” In this study, 60 participants were randomly assigned to a luck group (internal, external, or control). Participants completed the Belief in Good Luck Scale which measures an individual’s belief in luck, combined with a personality test, and played a game of miniature golf, during which luck was manipulated based on the group participants were in. The control group made an average of M =1.8 putts, the internal group made an average of M =3.4 putts, and the external group made an average of M =3.3 putts. This study established that participants in luck not superior to another.