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Jan 5, 2004, 6:20 am (4 comments)
Researchers have found that lucky charms work but only in the minds of those who carry them.
The first test of charms' effectiveness found they do not increase luck in dvents of pure chance, but users often felt luckier and more confident.
The study, by Professor Richard Wiseman of the Psychology Department of the University of Hertfordshire, found carrying a charm had no effect on the chances of choosing winning lottery numbers.
However, 30% of those tested felt their luck had improved.
Though sceptical of any magical effects, these subjects felt more confident, secure and optimistic about the future.
Professor Wiseman said: "When it comes to totally chance dvents like the lottery, it made no difference, but when it comes to luck in life, it made a real difference in terms of opportunities and confidence."
One hundred people from across the UK were asked to carry a Victorian penny as a charm for a month. Participants kept a diary recording how their luck had changed in areas such as health and finance. Those who reported an increase on average felt they had become 50% luckier.
At the end of the study, 70% of participants said they would continue to carry the lucky coin with them once the experiment had finished.
Ananova
Professor Wiseman said: "Wh
I'm ready to WIN now...
I will have to get me one, a lucky something I don't know what I should get, any suggestions!
I had a lucky stone I use to carry around. It was one of the those you see in a mall store where they have baskets of shiny stones. I took the one that caught my eye. A dark one with gold looking streaks and speck in it.
I lost the stone and have not won that often since. Need to go find me another one that catches my eye.