Hatcher: ‘Number 13’ Superstitions Unavoidable

Professor of Psychology Joe Hatcher contributed to a Gannett News article on the superstition around the number 13 heading into the New Year.

Hatcher teaches Ripon College students about superstitions, rituals and phobias. In the article, “2013: Lucky, unlucky or just another year?” Hatcher explains that a great deal of the superstition around the number 13 stems back to the general idea that we don’t have control over everything in our lives, and that something bad might happen.

“You’re going to come into contact every now and then,” Hatcher said. “That’s what’s scary about a lot of superstitions. For instance, black cats: you’re going to run into a black cat every now and then. You’re certainly going to run into the 13th. It adds a little anxiety to people’s lives.”

According to Hatcher, “Anyone who is worried about 2013 should take comfort in the fact that there will be a whole year to get used to it. There’s no way anybody can maintain their anxiety all year on this.”

Read the full article here.