The reasoning which leads a person to make a relation based on superstition is called magical thinking. It usually occurs when a connection is made between two objects or events without supporting evidence. The connection is based on unjustified beliefs, that’s why this fallacy is also superstitious thinking.
The source of many fears, incorrect judgments, and unreasonable actions can be found in this kind of reasoning. Mistaking correlation for causation is a common practise both in the ordinary and intellectual world. Sometimes that mistake may be plausible but it often leads to ridiculous conclusions.
Example 1:
Speaker A: “Oh man, I can’t take this anymore, we’ve been waiting for the bus for 30 minutes.”
Speaker B: “Just light a cigarette, the bus is sure to come. Every time I decide to start one, the bus immediately comes.”
Example 2:
“Oh, no, I broke a mirror, what am I going to do? Breaking a mirror is bad luck for my love life. That’s it, I’m never going to marry, I’m going to end up alone.”
Example 3:
“I’m scared for my life man. This morning, when I was walking to my car, a black cat crossed my path. You know what they say, a black cat is a symbol of bad luck.”
Although the examples sound ridiculous, they are common superstitions among a surprisingly high percentage of people. As is evident, magical thinking puts a person into a state of fear or irrationality. From this, more bad judgments follow.
Superstitions are common among religious people. More precisely, the theological part of religion doesn’t deal with superstitions, the ritual part does. That’s why superstitions can be found among religious people who follow only the practical part and know nothing of the theory. Like believing that dancing for rain will make it rain and putting garlic in front of your house will stop supernatural beings.