0Sociological Analysis of the Effect of Superstitions on Lifestyle

Mokhtarpour, Mehdi

doi:10.22034/jasi.2026.2085229.1615

0Sociological Analysis of the Effect of Superstitions on Lifestyle

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Author

Mehdi Mokhtarpour

Department of Sociology, WT. C., Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

10.22034/jasi.2026.2085229.1615

Abstract

This study examines the impact of superstitious beliefs on the lifestyle of residents in District 4 of Tehran, adopting a critical sociological perspective. The theoretical framework draws on the works of Max Weber, Pierre Bourdieu, Robert K. Merton, and Émile Durkheim, from which three research hypotheses were developed. The study employs a combination of documentary analysis and survey methods. Based on the 2016 national census, District 4 had a population of 861,280 residents. Using Cochran’s formula and simple random sampling, 385 individuals were selected as the study sample. The findings indicate that three categories of superstition—moral, religious, and social—significantly influence lifestyle patterns. Individuals who adhere to superstitious beliefs tend to exhibit more traditional lifestyles, whereas those who reject prevalent moral superstitions are more likely to display modern lifestyle orientations. A significant correlation was also observed between social superstitions and lifestyle, underscoring their influence on everyday practices. Multiple regression analysis confirmed the overall fit of the theoretical model and demonstrated a significant relationship between superstitious beliefs and lifestyle. Overall, the results suggest that superstition functions as a meaningful social variable shaping lifestyle orientations within the studied community.

Keywords

Moral Superstitions

Religious Superstitions

Social Superstitions

Lifestyle

Tehran

Subjects