Product Description

Although we live in a technologically advanced society, superstition is as widespread as it has ever been. Far from limited to athletes and actors, superstitious beliefs are common among people of all occupations and every educational and income level. Here, Stuart Vyse investigates our proclivity towards these irrational beliefs. Superstitions, he writes, are the natural result of several well-understood psychological processes, including our human sensitivity to coincidence, a penchant for developing rituals to fill time (to battle nerves, impatience, or both), our efforts to cope with uncertainty, the need for control, and more. Vyse examines current behaviou ral research to demonstrate how complex and paradoxical human behaviour can be understood through scientific investigation, while he addresses the personality features associated with superstition and the roles of superstitious beliefs in actions. Although superstition is a normal part of human culture, Vyse argues that we must provide alternative methods of coping with life's uncertainties by teaching decision analysis, promoting science education, and challenging ourselves to critically evaluate the sources of our beliefs.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #261944 in Books
• Published on: 2000-04-20
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 272 pages

Customer Reviews

Analytical yet prejudiced
I liked and disliked the book simultaneously. What I liked was the description of scientific experiments which show how superstitions/magical beliefs happen and are confirmed. What I disliked was the... attitude of the author about all that is 'magic'. He denies the existance of magic off hand. He does not even consider the possibility that some of it may be true. For a really good scientific book I would have expected the author to give a fair chance to both sides. But he did not bother to look at the different viewpoint... Given that the title of the book is 'Believing in Magic' I would have expected that believers would at least receive fair treatment.

Biased towards the evidence
Science is biased. So scientists are supposed to be biased towards the evidence. This book is a good scientific examination of superstitions and magical beliefs. It also examines (as the book says) the psychology of why people believe these things. A good book for any skeptical or scientifically inclined person to read. I'd say it would be good for believers to also read but as you will know if you have dealt with their ilk, they throw out anything that disagrees with their preconceived notions.