Discussions emphasize the significance of Skinner's 1948 study, with posts highlighting its method—feeding pigeons intermittently to produce superstitious behaviors—and drawing parallels to human habits like gambling or social media interactions. The tone varies from admiration to casual curiosity, illustrating both respect for the research and its real-world relevance.
AgreementModerate agreement
Most discussions recognize the validity of Skinner's experiment as a foundational demonstration of superstitious behavior formation, indicating general agreement.
InterestHigh interest
The threads show high curiosity, with many referencing the experiment, its origins, and parallels in human behavior, reflecting strong engagement and interest.
EngagementHigh engagement
Various posts explore implications, discuss methodologies, and relate findings to current phenomena, demonstrating deep involvement in the topic.
ImpactModerate impact
While there is appreciation for the experiment's explanatory power, the overall influence on current thinking or policy appears moderate, mainly serving as a psychological insight.
Abstract in brief
The text explores how superstitions related to pigeons are embedded in different cultures, often attributing special significance or mystical powers to them.
It discusses common beliefs, practices, and rituals involving pigeons, highlighting how these superstitions influence people's attitudes and behaviors toward these birds.
The article also examines the possible origins and reasons behind these superstitions, suggesting they are shaped by historical, cultural, and societal factors.]
@GillianMcKeith Surely common sense tells them they will be exposed sooner or later
Even 4 month isolated Antarctic explorers can catch colds so "nature will always find a way"
https://t.co/UU8Z1sCpZt
Aug 17, 2021 · 40 likes · 9 shares · 405 followersView post →
دا
دلبر که جان افزود ازو
@delbar_jan_afza · X
مقاله اصلی:
B.F. Skinner (1948). “Superstition” in the pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38(2), 168-172.
... the pigeon assumes the turning is what's causing the food to appear. Even when most turns fail to produce the food outcome, the pigeon's brain is searching for a causal relationship.
This gives us a clue about our own behavior: we may be wired, like the pigeon, to assume causality.
There's no end to this rabbithole, but a good starting point might be this article at 'Hackeducation':
B.F. Skinner's 1948 paper "Superstition In the Pigeon" is found here:
bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/about.illino...
In BF Skinner's classic "Superstition in the Pigeon" experiment, dropping food for pigeons at random times resulted in them developing strange rituals
He postulated that the pigeons were misled by that randomness to believe certain behaviours were the cause of the food drops
This video explores how the brain's default mode network influences behavior and its dysfunction in addiction. It highlights the connection between neural activity and smartphone dependence, emphasizing the role of…
This episode discusses how rituals and superstitions impact performance, especially in sports. It explores cultural beliefs involving pigeons, their significance, and how superstitions influence attitudes and behaviors…
Incidentally, I am not yet on board with OCD as a form neurodivergence, at least not my case of OCD. I think it's maybe an understandable trauma response, particularly in autistic people. C.f. 'Superstition' in the Pigeon (behavioral training and conditioning research by B. F. Skinner)
Kalau dia kebetulan sedang menengok ke kanan dan kemudian dia mendapatkan makanan, maka dia akan sering menengok ke kanan untuk mempercepat datangnya makanan tersebut.
https://t.co/1rfxsAOhWr
@KwadwoKyeremehT @DonkorST Skinner's seminal paper, "Superstition in the Pigeon," appears in the Journal of Experimental Psychology, Volume 38, Issue 2, pages 168–172 (1948), demonstrating how pigeons develop erroneous behaviors via intermittent reinforcement. For broader habit research, Wendy Wood's "Good
Oct 31, 2025 · 1 like · 6,786,819 followersView post →
L
Lean
@Bartolito5k · X
@claudiosavoia los periodistas kukas usan la estrategia de "'Superstition' in the Pigeon" para no perder de forma total su impacto en operar a favor del sistema
se te va a terminar el curro
Aug 31, 2025 · 2 likes · 1,595 followersView post →
L
Lean
@Bartolito5k · X
los periodistas kukas usan la estrategia de "'Superstition' in the Pigeon" para no perder de forma total su impacto en operar a favor del sistema https://t.co/DRYw41rr4v
In BF Skinner's classic "Superstition in the Pigeon" experiment, dropping food for pigeons at random times resulted in them developing strange rituals
He postulated that the pigeons were misled by that randomness to believe certain behaviours were the cause of the food drops
In 1948, B. F. Skinner's "Superstition in the Pigeon" showed that if you fed pigeons at completely random times, they would still try to predict when they'd be fed. Absent any information or pattern for when they'll be fed, they become "superstitious".
They repeat specific behaviors, turning in […]
@lafauexprod I've talked about this before but there's such a huge correlation between the 'Superstition in the Pigeon' Experiment by B.F. Skinner and people who get a crumb of attention on social media. https://t.co/0oJYpr9Jyd
There's no end to this rabbithole, but a good starting point might be this article at 'Hackeducation':
B.F. Skinner's 1948 paper "Superstition In the Pigeon" is found here:
bpb-us-w2.wpmucdn.com/about.illino...
... the pigeon assumes the turning is what's causing the food to appear. Even when most turns fail to produce the food outcome, the pigeon's brain is searching for a causal relationship.
This gives us a clue about our own behavior: we may be wired, like the pigeon, to assume causality.
@sidewinders_mom Shapin's Scientific Revolution
Flemming's Dark Side of the Enlightenment
Meadows' Thinking in Systems
Skinner's Superstition in the Pigeon
Pigliucci and Boudry Philosophy of Pseudoscience
McClellan's Science and Tech in World Hist
Stott's Darwin's Ghost
Strogatz's Synch
Sep 18, 2024 · 1 like · 1,613 followersView post →
DW
David Webb
@psych101 · X
Friday The 13th! No big deal, just chillax and visit: https://t.co/AanCkZCuL3 to read 'Superstition in The Pigeon' By B.F. Skinner. #Friday13th #BFSkinner #psychology #PsychologyStudents #PsychologyMajors #superstitions https://t.co/SVk3ZVkPEU
On that note: I used to give students I taught patching Skinners "Superstition in the Pigeon" to read, with the request to reread it after 6 months and think about the habits they are picking up while patching.
psych.hanover.edu/classes/Lear...
Are you really a good trader, or are you just being superstitious?
The other day, I was reading "Superstition in the Pigeon" by Skinner, and it's funny how the study resembles the average behavior you see in crypto.
If you're not familiar with the study, here's a quick summary:
@joejaggi Fascinating scientist. Some Skinner favs:
"Selection by consequences"
"Why we are not acting to save the world"
"The phylogeny and ontogeny of behavior"
"A case history in scientific method"
"Superstition in the pigeon"
Dec 15, 2023 · 1 like · 1 share · 39,383 followersView post →
BW
Beloved Wargod
@BelovedWargod · X
@RichardDawkins Trying to understand... Is that the same as this: https://t.co/X5ey2OMqhD?
RT @Waleed_S_7: في تجربة شهيرة أسماها "الخرافة لدى الحمام" (superstition in the pigeon)،قام أستاذ علم النفس "سكينر" بوضع مجموعة من طيور الح…
Nov 22, 2023 · 1 share · 2,693 followersView post →
وا
وليد الشهري
@Waleed_S21 · X
في تجربة شهيرة أسماها "الخرافة لدى الحمام" (superstition in the pigeon)،قام أستاذ علم النفس "سكينر" بوضع مجموعة من طيور الحمام في أقفاص مستقلة، وخصص لكل قفص كمية من الطعام تدخل بصورة دورية. المفاجئ أن الطيور أظهرت استجابة نمطية، حين صار كل طائر يكرر سلوكه الأخير قبل دخول الطعام..
Nov 21, 2023 · 1 share · 2,693 followersView post →
DW
David Webb
@psych101 · X
Friday The 13th! No big deal, just chillax and read 'Superstition in The Pigeon' By B.F. Skinner. See following link. https://t.co/467KfkstWR #Friday13th #BFSkinner #psychology #PsychologyStudents #PsychologyMajors https://t.co/SDHcqs48ey
@Xenius101 @daelmor Not exactly true. Psychologists have examined the behavior of animals and even they have behaviors that imply superstitions.
Skinner's pigeon experiment is also known as the "Superstition in the pigeon" experiment:
https://t.co/MqTYzYPSjT
عندما تفتح فتحة الطعام تقوم الحمامات بعمل حركات غريبة، وكل حمامة تقوم بحركة غريبة تختلف عن الأخرى، فمثلًا إحدى الحمامات تدور حول نفسها، وثانية تقف جامدة، وأخرى ترفرف، وبعد دراسة سكينر لهذا الموقف المتكرر توصّل لنتيجة أسماها بـ
(Superstition in The Pigeon)
الخرافة عند الحمام
Jun 22, 2023 · 1 like · 6,496 followersView post →
DW
David Webb
@psych101 · X
A psychology classic. https://t.co/ijg8JZacCO #BFSkinner #psychology #LearningTheory #PsychologyStudent #PsychologyMajor https://t.co/hcyLLT2PIM
May 22, 2023 · 3 likes · 11,283 followersView post →
KS
K.Sasaki
@K_Sasaki_20 · X
微熱と腹痛……
去年まで熱なんか出なかったのに、今年度だけで何度も体調崩してる……これは今年初詣に行かなかったからに違いない!
来年からは欠かさず行くぞ!
参考文献
Skinner, B. F., 1948 “
Superstition ” in the pigeon. Journal of Psychology, 38, 168-172
@Michael70724048 @captaincarot @theAliceRoberts @kenanmalik We aren't really that unique. The development of complex language in order to tell those stories probably is. But the basis of superstition is not https://t.co/TsDLIR3qKv
@GarethHanby @Leeco25Lee @JimAcostaJr @RealScarey @TDCornett I noticed a thing once, therefore it always happens.
That's not science, that's the supersticious pigeon experiment. https://t.co/ifJCxv2HrI
Своего рода попытка создать религию из того, что они сами наблюдали.
На самом деле очень сильно напоминает эксперимент "'Superstition' in the Pigeon" поведенческого психолога Скиннера. Разница только в том, что Скиннер экспериментировал с голубями.
@oliverbeige see also: Burrhus F. Skinner, Superstition in the Pigeon
German article on why superstition makes sense, how to induce it, and how people remain convinced it works even if shown proof against it.
https://t.co/UbwIf6t1bf
Re watching Wimbledon. Does the superstitious behavior of Nadal before each serve bother you? Got to re-read Skinner’s “Superstition in the Pigeon” https://t.co/PLD6yJuosH
“The experiment might be said to demonstrate a sort of superstition. The bird behaves as if there were a causal relation between its behavior and the presentation of food, although such a relation is lacking.” BF Skinner, Superstition in the Pigeon #dalle https://t.co/DPZOCRpg1k
@ptrdo @MASportsCentral @ianmSC "People won't catch what's not going around"
We haven't got a clue how it spreads even. If you could answer this conundrum about flu, no one has, you would win a Nobel prize
https://t.co/UU8Z1skOAT https://t.co/wbOdwvVA1J
RT @sos_jr: "'Superstition' in the Pigeon" experiment.
May 16, 2022 · 1 share · 3,988 followersView post →
SC
Stuart O. Smith, Jr. - sosAssociates.com
@sos_jr · X
"'Superstition' in the Pigeon" experiment.
May 15, 2022 · 1 like · 1 share · 3,988 followersView post →
DA
Dr Carmel Rodgers Northern Ireland Prestige Awards
@rodgers_carmel · X
RT @psych101: Friday The 13th! No big deal, just chill and visit
May 14, 2022 · 1 share · 2,003 followersView post →
TJ
Tom Jensen
@TomJens56253243 · X
'Superstition in The Pigeon'
By psychology legend B.F. Skinner who demonstrates how accidental connections between a ritual and favorable consequences can establish and maintain superstitious behavior. #FridayThe13th #psychology #BFSkinner #superstition
https://t.co/49tS3bk0jc https://t.co/k5SlrizgW0
@lydfinley Hard to overlook that many seminal findings came by working with pigeons (especially in the 40s). Case in point: B.F. Skinner's seminal observation of 'Superstition' in the pigeon. https://t.co/jXUEX2p9Os
@pmtaylor647 @TheTweetOfRhea There is a famous book and experiment, "Superstition in the Pigeon", which proved that pigeons are superstitious. It's hard to test it in people, because ethics and such, but every primitive tribe severed from it's initial culture invented its own religion.
@PTetlock I made a habit of giving (grad and undergrad) students a printout of Skinner's "Superstition in the Pigeon" to read early on, asking them to keep it in mind when they think about how they do their experiments. It's an amusing read and eye opening.
https://t.co/1EuUz82hkw
I will not be reading BF Skinner's "Superstition in the Pigeon" because it would make me sad but suffice it to say it's true, pigeons are naturally superstitious creatures and can extrapolate from correlation to causation very easily, if imperfectly
RT @EasySimon: @GillianMcKeith Surely common sense tells them they will be exposed sooner or later
Even 4 month isolated Antarctic explore…
Aug 20, 2021 · 9 shares · 144 followersView post →
MB
Mildred Button
@MildredButton_ · X
@PSHolstein Bitte denken Sie mal über das ‚Bigger Picture‘ nach.
Ist es wirklich richtig,unsere Lebensweise zu zerstören,unsere Kinder zu traumatisieren,wenn die Maßnahmen kaum positive (aber viele negative) Auswirkungen haben?Wollen Sie Gott spielen?
https://t.co/B7X3rzcFZ4 https://t.co/2x5Nyztpd6
@PipCmbl @danwootton You’re gonna have to learn to accept death my friend. It’s inevitable. Sorry to be bearer of bad news.
Life is full of risks, which is what makes it so precious.
https://t.co/B7X3rzcFZ4 https://t.co/6X0lkOEApR
RT @EasySimon: @GillianMcKeith Surely common sense tells them they will be exposed sooner or later
Even 4 month isolated Antarctic explore…
Aug 17, 2021 · 9 shares · 1,627 followersView post →
S
Simon
@EasySimon · X
@markthomasinfo @danwootton If Antarctic explorers can catch colds when they have been isolated for 4 months and there are people all around me double jabbed and testing positive for the Delta variant which is naturally attenuated what do you want next?
Us all to live in NBC suits
https://t.co/UU8Z1sCpZt
@GillianMcKeith Surely common sense tells them they will be exposed sooner or later
Even 4 month isolated Antarctic explorers can catch colds so "nature will always find a way"
https://t.co/UU8Z1sCpZt
Aug 17, 2021 · 40 likes · 9 shares · 405 followersView post →
DW
David Webb
@psych101 · X
Superstition in The Pigeon by psychology legend B. F. Skinner demonstrates how accidental connections between a ritual and favorable consequences can establish and maintain superstitious behavior. https://t.co/SwPbaWy762 #psychology #FridayThethirteenth #BFSkinner https://t.co/BJTTrnCHxb
Aug 13, 2021 · 1 share · 11,283 followersView post →
JL
Juha Lindstedt
@pakastin · X
Tiesitkö, ettei ihminen ole ainoa taikauskoinen eläin
@oatila Me fez lembrar dos experimentos que o Skinner já fazia com pombos nos anos 40. Já tinha observado e descrito detalhadamente o Reforçamento Intermitente.
Existe um artigo de 1948, ‘Superstition' in the pigeon que, por analogia, explica pq as pessoas acreditam em kit-covid e afins
This learning theory classic by psychology legend B.F. Skinner demonstrates how accidental connections between a ritual and favorable consequences can establish and maintain superstitious behavior. https://t.co/467KfkstWR #BFSkinner #psychology #LearningTheory #psychologystudents https://t.co/5JzkGV12ve
@TheTweetOfRhea God, I don't know. I haven't had dogs before, but these ones that I have treat me like a supernatural being, and for good reasons.
Also, superstition I think it's very natural. That's a famous book and experiment, Superstition in the Pigeon.
@CaanBerryTrader No words could be truer in long term betting! BF Skinners “superstition in the pigeon” is basically what I observe many Punters doing.
BTW videos have been particularly great the past year Caan thanks for the good work
Happy Groundhog Day from NYSABA! Be skeptical of favorable consequences that may not actually be an effect of behavior (though we are hoping for a mild spring!).
References: Skinner, B. F. (1948). Superstition in the Pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38, 168-172. https://t.co/zsaPoqbxbw
This is Chris Langan. Sometimes I wonder whether excessive IQ makes one more vulnerable to apophenia (or the tendency to find patterns in randomness). Even pigeons adopt superstitious behaviors when given random rewards. https://t.co/5VySVjWgs0 https://t.co/9rCiqRKRpj
RT @EasySimon: @markpsargeant @CUnderbants @blinder_the @Paul10376555 @Iwontcalmdown @Saffiya_Khan1 @ClarkeMicah @JuliaHB1 There lies the p…
Jan 6, 2021 · 12 shares · 1,046 followersView post →
JC
Jane Chapman
@JaneyCMJ · X
@MichaelYeadon3 I thought of you when I read this sentence in the article below "Perhaps we should look instead to the advice of people who are not trying to be more popular — they are incurring personal cost, so they may actually care about humanity’s wellbeing". https://t.co/STYV4WdGDp
https://doi.org/10.1037/h0055873 17.Skinner, B. F. (1953). Science and human behavior. Macmillan. 18.Skinner, B. F. (1971). Beyond freedom and dignity ...
https://doi.org/10.1037/h0055873. Sweetser, P., & Wyeth, P. (2005). GameFlow: A model for evaluating player enjoyment in games. Computers in. Entertainment, 3 ...
Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38(2), 168–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0055873 Abstract "A pigeon is brought to a stable state of hunger by reducing it ...
Exploring The Relationship and Labels Attached by | PDF | Science ...
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10.1037/h0055873. Streubert, H. J., & Carpenter, D. R. (2011). Qualitative research in nursing: Advancing the humanistic imperative (5th ed.). Philadelphia ...
Handbook of Applied Behavior Analysis: Johnny L. Matson | PDF ...
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https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-0663.77.3.362 D. M. (1973). Independent control ... h0055873 425. https://doi.org/10.1177/001440299105700505 Smith, M. D. ...
Apostila A Ciência Da Análise Do Comportamento1 | PDF
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https://doi.org/10.1037/h0055873. FAGUNDES, A.J.F.M. Descrição, definição e registro do comportamento. São Paulo: EDICOM, 2015, 17ª Ed. 37. CBI of Miami. You ...
(Routledge Research in Early Childhood Education) Philip Hui Li ...
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Appleton-Century. Skinner, B. F. (1948). “Superstition” in the pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38(2), 168–172. https://doi.org/10.1037/h0055873
Evolutionary Roots of Superstition | PDF | Superstitions | Fitness ...
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Exp. Psychol. 38, 168 172. (doi:10.1037/h0055873) Sober, E. & Wilson, D. S. 1997 Unto others: the evolution of altruism. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University ...
Pigeon Superstition Experiment | PDF | Reinforcement | Superstitions
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Superstition in the Pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1948, 38, 168-172. Skinner, B. F. - Free download as PDF File (.pdf), Text File (.txt) or ...
(APA Handbooks in Psychology) Gregory J. Madden - APA ...
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doi:10.1037/h0055873 Wasserman, E. A., Young, M. E., & Peissig, J. J. (2002). Brief presentations are sufficient for pigeons to. Skinner, B. F. (1953) ...
Associative relationships in human predictive learning. - Free Online ...
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org/10.1037/h0055873. Thorndike E. L. (1932). The fundamentals of learning. Nueva York, NY: Teachers College Press, Columbia University. Tolman E. C. (1932) ...
History and Impact of Superstition | PDF | Superstitions | Cultural ...
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Journal of Experimental Psychology 38 (2): 168172. doi:10.1037/h0055873. PMID 18913665. [16] Staddon, J. E. & Simmelhag, V. L. (1971). The 'supersitition' ...
Behavioural Finance | PDF | Lecture | Behavioral Economics
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//www.jstor.org/stable/3584957. B Skinner. 'superstition' in the pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38(2):168,. Feb 1948. doi: 10.1037/h0055873. URL ...
3 Lattal Five Pillars | PDF | Reinforcement | Behaviorism
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Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38, 168–172. doi:10.1037/h0055873 Wasserman, E. A., Young, M. E., & Peissig, J. J. (2002). Brief presentations are ...
Behavioral Finance Course Guide | PDF | Behavioral Economics ...
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//www.jstor.org/stable/3584957. B Skinner. 'superstition' in the pigeon. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 38(2):168,. Feb 1948. doi: 10.1037/h0055873. URL ...