Is it strange to refuse travel on Sundays that fall on the 22nd of the month? Or to petition a building to skip the 22nd floor entirely? Probably, because fearing the number 22 is not a common superstition. However, what if millions shared a similar, seemingly unfounded aversion to another number?
In the United States alone, over 40 million people admit discomfort staying on the 13th floor of a hotel. Elevator companies like Otis report that for every building numbering a floor as “13,” six others bypass it, jumping directly to 14. Many in Western cultures modify their behavior on Friday the 13th. While unfortunate events can occur on this date, there’s no evidence suggesting they happen more frequently.
As a social psychologist, the widespread nature of this misconception is more intriguing than individual phobias. It’s the collective belief in the unluckiness of 13 that significantly impacts behavior, highlighting the real power of superstition.
Origins of the Superstition: Tracing the Roots of Triskaidekaphobia
The origin of the fear of 13, known as “triskaidekaphobia,” is not definitively known and remains largely speculative. A simple theory suggests it arises from its position following the number 12, often associated with completeness and perfection. Joe Nickell, from the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, points out that 12 frequently symbolizes “completeness” – think of twelve months in a year, twelve gods of Olympus, twelve zodiac signs, and twelve apostles of Jesus. In contrast, 13 appears to disrupt this sense of order and perfection.
Another theory connects the unlucky nature of 13 to infamous gatherings. In Norse mythology, Loki was the 13th guest at a Valhalla feast and instigated the death of the god Baldur. In Christian tradition, Judas, the betrayer of Jesus, was the 13th attendee at the Last Supper.
Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper” depicts Judas as the 13th guest, potentially contributing to the number’s unlucky reputation.
However, it’s important to recognize that any number can become associated with misfortune through sociocultural processes. Superstitions, like rumors, can take on a life of their own, growing stronger over time and shaping social reality.
Different cultures highlight different unlucky numbers. In Japan, 9 is considered unlucky due to its phonetic similarity to the word for “suffering.” Italy shuns 17. In China, 4, sounding like “death,” is more actively avoided than 13 is in the West. Conversely, while 666 is feared in some Christian contexts as the “number of the beast,” it’s considered lucky in China. There’s even a term for the extreme fear of 666: hexakosioihexekontahexaphobia.
Psychological and Social Factors Fueling the Fear of 13
Specific phobias are diverse and stem from various psychological origins. Some phobias develop from direct negative experiences, like fearing dogs after a bite. Risk factors for phobias include youth, family history of phobias, sensitive personalities, and exposure to others’ fears.
The unease around 13 might also be linked to its relative infrequency in daily life, a “felt sense of anomaly.” In psychology, familiarity breeds comfort, while the unfamiliar can trigger unease. Thirteen is less common than 12; we don’t have a 13th month or a 13-hour clock. This unfamiliarity makes it easier to associate negative attributes with the number 13.
Furthermore, the superstition around 13 may persist due to confirmation bias, similar to beliefs in “full moon effects.” Despite debunking, people still link full moons to negative events. Similarly, experiencing something bad on Friday the 13th might reinforce the superstition, making the event seem more significant and memorable. These ingrained beliefs are resistant to change.
Social influence plays a crucial role in perpetuating superstitions. The fear of 13, like other common superstitions, can be seen as a social “meme.” Biologist Richard Dawkins originally coined “meme” to describe how ideas and information spread within a population, replicating and evolving like genes. The “13 is unlucky” meme resonates due to the factors mentioned and spreads through cultural transmission. Adopting this belief, even falsely, can give individuals a perceived sense of control over potential misfortune.
The Real-World Impact of a False Belief
Even though it’s baseless, the superstition surrounding 13 has tangible consequences. NASA, possibly influenced by the Apollo 13 mission incident, renamed the 13th space shuttle flight STS-41-G. Brussels Airlines, responding to passenger concerns, altered their 13-dot logo to a 14-dot design. Many airlines also omit row 13 in aircraft seating.
While seemingly harmless, superstitions, being founded on falsehoods, can be detrimental, as seen with dangerous health quackery. Instead of reinforcing unfounded beliefs, influential entities could better serve the public by promoting critical thinking and highlighting the risks of clinging to misinformation.
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
