The conviction of the individual that his or her thoughts, words, and actions may in some manner cause or prevent outcomes in a way that defies the normal laws of cause and effect.
Belief in causal forces beyond the scope of physical reality (e.g., luck).
Belief that thinking equates with doing. Occurs in dreams of children or primitive people. Characterized by lack of reasonable relationship between cause and effect.
The belief that one's thoughts, words, or actions will produce an outcome that defies normal laws of cause and effect; the belief that one's words have the power to make things happen. For example, a client may believe his or her thoughts can cause earthquakes. Occurs in schizophrenia.
The conviction that thinking equates with doing.
a belief that thinking about something will make it happen.
The belief that thinking is equated with doing. We think that a certain behaviour leads to a desired effect, even when we know of no explanation and when there is in fact none.
In psychology and cognitive science, magical thinking is non-scientific causal reasoning (e.g. superstition). James George Frazer and Bronislaw K. Malinowski said that magic is more like science than religion, and that societies with magical beliefs often had separate religious beliefs and practices.