Magic Power

Today's New York Times science section (the Tuesday science section almost always has something cool in it) has an interesting article about the persistence of magical thinking. In other words, why do reasonably intelligent 21st-century humans think they have the ability to bring bad luck on their enemies and such? Not surprisingly, it's hard-wired into our brains:

The appetite for such beliefs appears to be rooted in the circuitry of the brain, and for good reason. The sense of having special powers buoys people in threatening situations, and helps soothe everyday fears and ward off mental distress. In excess, it can lead to compulsive or delusional behavior. This emerging portrait of magical thinking helps explain why people who fashion themselves skeptics cling to odd rituals that seem to make no sense, and how apparently harmless superstition may become disabling.

Later on, one researcher makes an interesting observation:

Children exhibit a form of magical thinking by about 18 months, when they begin to create imaginary worlds while playing. By age 3, most know the difference between fantasy and reality, though they usually still believe (with adult encouragement) in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. By age 8, and sometimes earlier, they have mostly pruned away these beliefs, and the line between magic and reality is about as clear to them as it is for adults.

It is no coincidence, some social scientists believe, that youngsters begin learning about faith around the time they begin to give up on wishing. 'The point at which the culture withdraws support for belief in Santa and the Tooth Fairy is about the same time it introduces children to prayer,' said Jacqueline Woolley, a professor of psychology at the University of Texas. 'The mechanism is already there, kids have already spent time believing that wishing can make things come true, and they’re just losing faith in the efficacy of that.'

Hey, isn't that similar to something I said back during the Xmas holidays?