Resumen de Like Mike: : Ability contagion through touched objects increases confidence and improves performance

Thomas Kramer, Lauren G. Block

• Magical thinking refers to irrational peculiar beliefs, including those that conform to the laws of contagion. We propose that touching an object that was previously touched by a high performer increases confidence via magical thinking (ability contagion) and improves actual performance among individuals high in experiential processing. A series of studies provides support for this main proposition. Our results cast doubt on an alternative explanation based on priming, and are obtained controlling for participants� level of rational processing, motivation, and affect.