Study on Superstitions and Their Extent in Taiwan

Abstract

This article presents a multidisciplinary analysis of the persistence and influence of superstitions, focusing on their spread and survival in Taiwan. Taiwan's unique cultural landscape, where rich Buddhist, Confucian, and Taoist traditions coexist alongside cutting-edge technological advancements, plays a significant role in shaping collective beliefs distinct from those in mainland China. The extensive acceptance of several superstitions leads to minor outbreaks of collective hysteria, which generally remain in a latent state. This study employs methods including cross-cultural comparison, ethnological analysis, and findings from contrastive studies in Behavioral Psychology studies. It begins by tracing the origins and evolution of the concept of superstition within the context of folklore studies. The paper then examines this phenomenon through anthropological and psychological perspectives, incorporating analyses from scholars such as Brunvand, Frazer, Lévi-Strauss, Kirk, García Mieres, Irwin, and Skinner. The article concludes with a discussion of the specific superstitions prevalent in Taiwan, exploring their formation, dissemination, and the degree of belief among the populace. Methods employed include cross-cultural comparison or Ethnology and the conclusions extracted from a contrastive analysis of Behavioral Psychology studies.