Final answer:
Malinowski and Gmelch concluded that both Trobriand Islanders and US baseball players use magic and rituals to reduce anxiety in the face of uncertainty and lack of control in their respective cultures.
Step-by-step explanation:
Bronislaw Malinowski and George Gmelch both concluded that the use of magic and ritual among the Trobriand Islanders and US major league baseball players, respectively, serves to reduce anxiety related to unpredictable and uncontrollable outcomes. Malinowski observed that the Trobriand Islanders performed complex rituals before embarking on long and dangerous kula ring exchanges, but not for routine fishing trips. He concluded that these rituals helped to mitigate feelings of uncertainty and lack of control. Similarly, Gmelch identified that baseball players, who are immersed in a world of unpredictable game outcomes, engage in personal rituals for good luck, such as specific eating and dressing habits or a set way of driving to the ballpark.
Both researchers highlighted how members of different cultures turn to rituals and magical thinking as a coping mechanism to gain a sense of control in situations where the result is uncertain and beyond their direct influence. This behavior is present in activities as varied as international rituals and professional sports, indicating a universal human response to uncertainty and anxiety.