“With Good Luck”: Belief in good luck and cognitive planning

Abstract

Recent findings have suggested that belief in good luck is an adaptive cognitive process. The present studies sought to extend this view by examining the relationship between belief in good luck within goal orientated thoughts. In Study 1, among 222 social science undergraduate students, findings suggest a statistically significant relationship between belief in good luck and hope. To extend this view the role of belief in good luck in individuals’ confidence in completing a goal was examined among 96 social science undergraduate students. The present findings suggest that belief in good luck plays a significant part in the planning of a completion of a goal. However, findings suggest that the role that good luck plays may depend on whether luck is seen as an internal or external attribute, conscious and realistic thought process, or indeed whether good luck is perceived as needed at all.