Wishing does not make it

Most of us all participate in small works Magic thinking Without thinking again. You may want before the bombing of Christmas candles, or beats wood after tempting fate or resisting certain words or actions Fearful It can be “Jinx”. These rituals are usually harmless, but it reveals how deep Magic thinking Worn in our daily life. It can prevent us from not verified from seeing reality as it really is, instead of realizing what we hope to be.

Magic thinking is a distortion of cognitive. It indicates the illogical belief that some of our thoughts, rituals, or procedures can affect external events, without any rational evidence or basis (Brashier & Multhaup, 2017). While myths are often frequent intentions or cultural traditions, strategies can reflect deeper confrontation strategies, especially in times of chaos and uncertainty and pressure.

Research shows that the frequency of magic thinking and superstitious behavior increases under the conditions of tension, as the intention is to increase a person’s sense of control (Keinan, 2002). When people face uncertainty, magic thinking allows building an area in which mystery can turn into possibilities, no matter how impossible, and thus reduce anxietyYannik, Handelman & Taylor, 2011).

The clinical cases of magic thinking are noted in serious psychological diagnoses, such as Obsessive Disorder and schizophrenia (Fite, Adut & Magee, 2020). However, more accurate forms of magic thinking everywhere, behave like potatoes and coldness, to tame anxiety and reduce Cognitive dissonance. Cognitive dissonance is the psychological discomfort that you feel when your beliefs, values, or positions contradict, either with each other or with your actions (Festinger, 1957). When facing the situations that create this dissonance, the resulting stress creates a urgency to correct tension, either by changing the situation or changing behavior.

Wishing thinking is a kind of magic thinking where people adopt beliefs based on what they want to be correct and not on evidence. When someone carries a personal belief that contradicts reality, he suffers from cognitive dissonance. Because repulsion feels unbearable, the mind is looking for ways to solve it. Anyone after that may use mental strategies to justify adherence to his beliefs with wishing instead of accepting the experimental contradictory evidence. For example, instead of leaving a governed relationship, someone may imagine, “things will improve after we have a child.” Instead of facing the conflict directly, magic thinking can be buffer to avoid the most difficult work in the decision that requires positions or Behavioral change.

Magic thinking is attractive because it can immediately reduce anxiety and calmness in repulsion between what we wish and what we fear. Self -evading, and even deceptive self -evading, can be effective and not harmful in simple scenarios where other options are not available (for example, the trip to the ground safely); However, magic thinking becomes unhealthy when using it as an alternative to critical thinking about taking informed decisions or making action when options are important (i.e. smoking halt; Global warming).

Ironically, trying to avoid some ideas or feelings can cause ideas or feelings more stable, an effect known as the theory of the paradoxical process or the Pink Elephant (Wegner, Schneider, Carter & White, 1987). Try to suppress thought in the name Self -control The strategy has contradictory effects, even sometimes produces the mania or preoccupation that is directed.

Moreover, over time, even delicate magic thinking can distort judgment. When a person is unwilling to accept reality, he becomes immune to important evidence, biases are strengthened, and they are likely to make poorest options as it reduces the risks and control of (Buehler & McFarland, 2001; Kunda, 1990).

For most people, there is limited incentivize To abandon magic thinking. Magic thinking provides comfort, a sense of control and emotional relief in unconfirmed situations. It is the ability to reduce immediate distress, and provides a short -term satisfaction, so people are often hesitant to leave, especially when the alternative means facing uncomfortable facts, ambiguity, or the limits of an individual’s control over the negative capabilities. People rarely give up magic thinking simply because it is irrational. They give up this when the costs exceed the benefits, and when they have other ways to organize their anxiety and maintain hope.

In order for the individual or society to change, there must be a motive for change, which requires two conditions. First, people must realize that magic thinking causes their harm by pushing the poor decision makingLost opportunities and/or negative results. The change will not occur until reaching a point denial It is no longer effective because protection against unwanted consequences. Second, the alternative and available tools should be in place for self -falling and bearing uncertainty. When individuals learn how to organize feelings, manage anxiety, think critically and embrace uncertainty, they become less dependent on irrational beliefs and rituals (Carlton, 2016). Strategies include engaging in Mind Psychological treatments, as well as adopting critical thinking to solve problems.

Once motivated, steps for reducing an individual’s dependence on magic thinking can be implemented. As with most things, this begins with awareness. Once you realize cognitive biases, you can reduce their influence. By asking yourself about the evidence for a certain faith, you evaluate whether the belief is supported by facts or is compatible with personal desire or fear. Permanently to understand the truth opens your mind to other possibilities.

Stay awareness of yourself in an unpredictable context, as magic control and thinking are likely to arise. A clear distinction between thinking about wishing and optimism. Positive thinking The motivation can be built, Steadfastness and creativity Without turning a blind eye to reality. You strive to build tolerance with uncertainty, in the long run, this will reduce your anxiety and help you overcome primitive Defense mechanismsLike denial and taking something that was not. Alevable practices can be useful in developing an unimisticated and separate acceptance of difficult facts and automatic links between anxiety and magic thinking can weaken. Moreover, the basis for your sense of goal in values ​​such as consciousness and truth can experience uncertainty with exaggeration of clarity, stability and serenity.