As Luck Would Have It

Are some people really luckier than others?

To explore this question scientifically, experimental psychologist Richard Wiseman created a "luck lab" at the University of Hertfordshire in England. Wiseman began by testing whether those who believe they are lucky are actually more likely to win the lottery. He recruited 700 subjects who had intended to purchase lottery tickets to complete his luck questionnaire, which is a self-report scale that measures whether people consider themselves to be lucky or unlucky. Although lucky people were twice as confident as the unlucky ones that they would win the lottery, there was no difference in winnings.

So, why do some people think they are luckier than others? Are there other differences?

The article goes on to show that the personalities of lucky people are different, with lucky people being more extroverted, less neurotic and more open. These personality traits lead to more opportunities and therefore make them think they are in fact lucky.

via Scientific American.com