title: Beliefs in being unlucky and deficits in executive functioning.
abstract: The current paper proposes the Dysexecutive Luck hypothesis; that beliefs in being unlucky are associated with deficits in executive functioning. Four studies suggest initial support for the Dysexecutive Luck hypothesis via four aspects of executive functioning. Study 1 established that self-reports of dysexecutive symptoms predicted unique variance in beliefs in being unlucky after controlling for a number of other variables previously reported to be related to beliefs around luck. Studies 2 to 4 demonstrated support for the Dysexecutive Luck hypothesis via assessment of executive functioning via: (1) two fundamental executive functions (shifting and inhibition), (2) emotional processes related to executive functioning as described by the Somatic Marker hypothesis, and (3) higher executive functions as accessed via divergent thinking. The findings suggest that individuals' beliefs in being unlucky are accompanied by a range of deficits in executive functioning.
authors.affiliation: College of Medicine, Biological Sciences and Psychology, University of Leicester, Lancaster Road, Leicester LE1 9HN, United Kingdom. jm148@le.ac.uk
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Maltby
authors.forename: Liz
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Day
authors.forename: Diana G
authors.initials: DG
authors.lastname: Pinto
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Hogan
authors.forename: Alex M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Wood
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology*; D003469:Culture; D056344:Executive Function; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007266:Inhibition, Psychological; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010551:Personality; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires