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Examination of the Prevalence of Superstitious Rituals and the Effect These Rituals Have on

Anxiety and Focus in NCAA Division III Athletes


Vanessa Davis

Abstract
The use of superstitious rituals is found in a variety athletic
settings today. Repetitive sequence, occurrence, and rigid timing
define superstitious rituals (Brevers, Dan, Noel, & Nils, 2011).
The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a
significant use of superstitious rituals NCAA Division III athletes
and how these rituals affect anxiety and focus. 17 Division III
Track & Field student-athletes participated in this study. It was
found that female athletes are more anxious than males when
they cannot perform their rituals (t = 3.873, p = .003). Multi-sport
athletes were more focused before performing rituals before
competition compared to single sport athletes (t = -2.6, p = .027).
When comparing anxiety before and after performing rituals
before competition, a significant difference was found (t = 4.195,
p= .001). Focus was also found to significantly increases after
performing superstitious rituals before competition compared to
the level of focus before performing rituals before competition (t
= -3.626, p = .004). No significant differences were found in
relation to years of sports play at the collegiate level.

Methods
Participants:
17 Division III student-athletes
14 females (82.35%); 3 males (17.65%)
Mean age 19.94 (SD = 1.68) years
Survey Design: 22 question survey
Demographic questions
Likert-Scale questions focused on levels of anxiety & focus &
importance of rituals
Participants were asked to record their superstitious rituals

Results Continued
Differences Before and After Performing Rituals:
There was found to be a significant difference in anxiety
before performing rituals compared to after performing
rituals before competition (t = 4.195, p= 0.001).
Focus was found to significantly increases after
performing superstitious rituals compared to the level of
focus before performing rituals before competition
(t = -3.626, p = 0.004).

Results
Gender Differences:
It was found that female athletes are more anxious than
their male counterparts when they cannot perform their
rituals (t = 3.873, p = 0.003).

Introduction
Superstitious rituals give individuals, more specifically athletes, an
increased sense of control over a situation or impending result
(Brevers, Dan, Noel, & Nils, 2011). In reality, there is no link
between the ritual and the outcome. The relationship is a
perceived sense the actor has which enforces their ritual when the
outcome is successful (Skinner, 1992).
Superstitious rituals delineated by:
Repetitive sequence
Occurrence
Rigid timing
(Brevers, Dan, Noel, & Nils, 2011)
Purpose: To examine if there is a high prevalence of
superstitious rituals in Division III student-athletes and how
the use of superstitious rituals affects anxiety and focus
before and during competition.

Conclusion & Practical Application

Single vs. Multi-Sport Athletes:


Multi-sport athletes were determined to be more focused
before performing rituals before competition compared
to single sport athletes (t = -2.6, p = 0.027).

Conclusion:
Based on the statistical analysis completed, female athletes
were found to be more anxious than male athletes when unable
to perform their rituals.
Multi-sport athletes were more focused than single sport
athletes before performing rituals before competition.
Anxiety was significantly lowered after performing rituals
compared to before performing them prior to competition.
Focus was found to increase after performing rituals compared
to base level focus prior to competition.
Practical Application:
Aid in awareness of sport staff and athletes in understanding
superstitious rituals and how they affect anxiety and focus.
Reducing or alleviating anxiety before and during competition
through education.

Brevers, D., Dan, B., Noel, X., & Nils, F. (2011). Sport superstition: Mediation of psychological tension on non-professional sportsmens superstitious rituals. Journal of Sport Behavior, 34(1), 3-24.
Skinner, B.F. (1992). Superstition in the pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General. 121(3), 273-274.

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