How to Knock on Wood...and Why It Helps - Gabriele Hilberg, Ph. D., MFT

Scientific investigation has proven that knocking on wood improves your luck. Well, maybe not your luck, but just acting out the superstition definitely seems to improve your outlook. Psychologists researched the effect of the superstition on feelings regarding negative situations. The simple action of knocking away from your body, as opposed to knocking toward it, seems to signal a release or pushing away of bad circumstances. The study’s research corroborates findings in a German 2010 study regarding lucky charms. There too, participants were relieved and reassured by playing out the superstition. Consequently, they felt more confident, in control, and positively expectant.

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