We examine a superstition for which adherence is nearly universal among its target population. Using a combination of field interventions that involve unsuspecting participants and a lab-style value elicitation, we investigate the nature and strength of peoples’ underlying preferences. While a substantial minority of people are willing to incur a relatively high individual cost in order to adhere to the superstition, for many, adherence is contingent on the behavior of others. Our findings are consistent with the idea that it is the conforming nature of the majority that sustains the false beliefs of the minority.

中文翻译：

---

Tra i Leoni：揭示迷信背后的喜好

我们研究一种迷信，其迷信在其目标人群中几乎普遍存在。通过结合涉及不加怀疑的参与者的现场干预和实验室风格的价值启发，我们研究了人们基本偏好的性质和优势。为了坚持迷信，虽然有少数人愿意承担相对较高的个人成本，但对许多人而言，坚持要视他人的行为而定。我们的发现与以下观点相吻合，即正是少数派的顺从性质支持了少数派的错误信念。