Magical thinking is a fascinating psychological phenomenon that is often referred to as "magical beliefs". It describes the tendency of people to make connections between events that, rationally speaking, have no causal relationship. This thinking is often based on superstition, mystical beliefs or a belief in supernatural powers.

This phenomenon is deeply rooted in human culture and can take various forms. A common example is "lucky charm" thinking, where people attribute magical powers to certain objects, such as a four-leaf clover or a horseshoe, that are supposed to bring good luck. This thinking can also be expressed in rituals such as throwing salt over the shoulder, knocking on wood or avoiding certain actions on Friday the 13th.

Magical thinking can also occur in medicine and healthcare. One example of this is the placebo effect, where simply believing in the efficacy of a treatment can actually have a positive impact on health. People tend to develop magical beliefs about healing and illness that go beyond the scientifically explainable.

It is important to emphasise that magical thinking should not just be seen as irrational or superstitious. In many cultures and religions, magical beliefs are deeply rooted and play an important role in social and spiritual life. They can provide comfort, hope and meaning.

In psychology, magical thinking is often seen as a form of cognition based on the search for patterns and meaning in the world. It can serve as a coping mechanism in stressful situations and provide a degree of control over the unknown.

Overall, magical thinking is a multi-layered and multi-faceted phenomenon that occurs in various aspects of human life. It shows how the human psyche is able to seek meaning and order in a complex world, even if this meaning is based on magical or irrational assumptions.