Abstract

This research investigates a class of everyday inferences called quasi-magical explanations, which rest on the notion that imperceptible forces produce effects, as opposed to quasi-scientific explanations that are grounded in physical reality. I argue that quasi-magical explanations are likely to occur when an outcome is inexplicable in mechanistic terms and that they engender a different pattern of performance expectancies than do quasi-scientific explanations, such as those based on aptitudes. Study 1 provided evidence that explicable success raises expectancies in activities that use the same aptitude, but inexplicable success raises expectancies in activities that are associated with the same quasi-magical power, such as having insight into hidden qualities. Study 2 investigated quasi-magical explanations of an employee’s success, and found that ascribing success to inexplicable insight leads to perceptions of immeasurable characteristics such as intuition and talent, as well as expected success in leadership tasks that involve uncertainty. Study 3 examines the draw toward charismatic leaders as part of the principle of contagion--that a person’s vital essence of largely positive or negative energy can be transferred through contact. Study 4 investigates

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