Superstitions are beliefs in ideas or practices based on the supernatural as opposed to laws of science. People look for answers to their questions, reasons that explain why things happen. Those who understand science, apply known scientific concepts to help explain the natural world. People lacking control in their lives are more likely to believe in conspiracy theories and superstitions, a study has found.

Wearing 'lucky socks', counting magpies or insisting that the moon landings were faked all reflect a search for order in the world, say psychologists. Through a series of experiments, the US scientists showed that individuals suffering a loss of control tended to see non-existent images, perceive conspiracies, or become superstitious.

Professor Adam Galinsky, from Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, who led the research, said: 'The less control people have over their lives, the more likely they are to try and regain control through mental gymnastics.

'Feelings of control are so important to people that a lack of control is inherently threatening. While some misperceptions can be led or lead one astray, they're extremely common and most likely satisfy a deep and enduring psychological need.'

Volunteers taking part in another test were asked to recall and write about events over which they had control, while others wrote about out-of-control situations like a car accident or illness striking friends or relatives.

Afterwards, all those taking part read short stories in which significant outcomes were preceded by irrational actions, such as stamping one's feet three times before entering a meeting.

Volunteers who had earlier recalled an uncontrolled event in their lives expressed a greater belief in superstitious actions like foot stamping. They were also more likely to perceive sinister conspiracies lurking beneath the surface of innocuous situations.

Co-author Jennifer Whitson, from the University of Texas at Austin, said: 'People see false patterns in all types of data, imagining trends in stock markets and seeing faces in static and detecting conspiracies between acquaintances. This suggests that lacking control leads to a visceral need for order - even imaginary order.'

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