Behavior and illusions: a model to study superstition in a participant replacement experiment

Abstract The notion of superstitious behavior can provide a basic background for understanding such notions as illusions and beliefs. The present study investigated the social mechanism of the transmission of superstitious behavior in an experiment that utilized participant replacement. The sample was composed of a total of 38 participants. Participants performed a task on a computer: they could click a colored rectangle using the mouse. When the rectangle was in a particular color, the participants received points independently of their behavior (variable time schedule). When the color of the rectangle was changed, no points were presented (extinction). Under an Individual Exposure condition, ten participants worked alone on the task. Other participants were exposed to the same experimental task under a Social Exposure condition, in which each participant first learned by observation and then worked on the task in a participant replacement (chain) procedure. The first participant in each chain in the Social Exposure condition was a confederate who worked on the task "superstitiously," clicking the rectangle when points were presented. Superstitious responding was transmitted because of the behavior of the confederate. This also influenced estimates of personal control. These findings suggest that social learning can facilitate the acquisition and maintenance of superstitious behavior and the illusion of control. Our data also suggest that superstitious behavior and the illusion of control may involve similar learning principles.

Religião e espiritualidade de idosos internados em uma enfermaria geriátrica / Religion and spirituality of elderly living in a geriatrics ward

Esta pesquisa avaliou a influência da religião e espiritualidade no enfrentamento da hospitalização em pacientes idosos. A amostra foi composta por 30 idosos hospitalizados numa enfermaria geriátrica. Os instrumentos utilizados foram um questionário sociodemográfico e a Escala de Religiosidade DUREL - Duke Religious Index. Religião e espiritualidade são recursos relevantes aos quais idosos recorrem no enfrentamento da hospitalização. Reconhecer o bem-estar que estes aspectos proporcionam aos idosos é prestar atendimento humanizado. Sugere-se o desenvolvimento de mais pesquisas e instrumentos de avaliação acerca do tema, bem como a inclusão de disciplinas que abordam religião e espiritualidade na formação dos profissionais de saúde, dada a importância que a população idosa atribui às suas crenças religiosas e espirituais em momentos de dificuldades.

This study evaluated the influence of religion and spirituality on the way in which elderly patients cope with their hospitalization. A total of 30 elderly living in a geriatrics ward participated in the study. The instruments used were: a socio-demographic questionnaire and the DUREL Religious Scale (Duke Religious Index). Results indicate that the elderly attach much importance to their spiritual and religious beliefs to cope with their hospitalization. Recognizing the well-being that these aspects provide for the elderly is to provide humanized care. In order to do that, the development of further research and evaluation tools on the theme is suggested, as well as the inclusion of disciplines of religion and spirituality in the training of health professionals.