Believing in magic : the psychology of superstition / Stuart Vyse.

By:

Vyse, Stuart A

Material type: Text

TextLanguage: English Publication details: New York : Oxford University Press, 1997.Edition: Updated editionDescription: xii, 316 pages : illustrations ; 21 cmISBN:

9780199996926

Subject(s):

DDC classification:

133.430 23 VYS

Contents:

1. Believing in Magic -- 2. The Superstitious Person -- 3. Superstition and Coincidence -- 4. Superstitious Thinking -- 5. Growing Up Superstitious -- 6. Is Superstition Abnormal, Irrational, or Neither? -- 7. A Magical View of the World.

Summary: "While we live in a technologically and scientifically advanced age, superstition is as widespread as ever. Not limited to just athletes and actors, superstitious beliefs are common among people of all occupations, educational backgrounds, and income levels. In this fully updated edition of Believing in Magic, renowned superstition expert Stuart Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs. Superstitions, he writes, are the natural result of several 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. In a new Introduction, Vyse discusses important developments and the latest research on jinxes, paranormal beliefs, and luck. He also distinguishes superstition from paranormal and religious beliefs and identifies the potential benefits of superstition for believers. He examines the research to demonstrate how we can better understand complex human behavior. Although superstition is a normal part of our 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"--Summary: "In this fully updated edition of Believing in Magic, renowned superstition expert Stuart Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs"--

Tags from this library: No tags from this library for this title. Log in to add tags.

Average rating: 0.0 (0 votes)

Holdings
Item type	Current library	Collection	Call number	Status	Date due	Barcode
General Books	CUTN Central Library Philosophy & psychology	Non-fiction	133.430 VYS (Browse shelf(Opens below))	Available		30156

"Winner of the William James Book Award"--Cover.

1. Believing in Magic --
2. The Superstitious Person --

3. Superstition and Coincidence --

4. Superstitious Thinking --

5. Growing Up Superstitious --

6. Is Superstition Abnormal, Irrational, or Neither? --

7. A Magical View of the World.

"While we live in a technologically and scientifically advanced age, superstition is as widespread as ever. Not limited to just athletes and actors, superstitious beliefs are common among people of all occupations, educational backgrounds, and income levels. In this fully updated edition of Believing in Magic, renowned superstition expert Stuart Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs. Superstitions, he writes, are the natural result of several 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. In a new Introduction, Vyse discusses important developments and the latest research on jinxes, paranormal beliefs, and luck. He also distinguishes superstition from paranormal and religious beliefs and identifies the potential benefits of superstition for believers. He examines the research to demonstrate how we can better understand complex human behavior. Although superstition is a normal part of our 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"--

"In this fully updated edition of Believing in Magic, renowned superstition expert Stuart Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs"--

Includes bibliographical references (pages 389-308) and index.

There are no comments on this title.

to post a comment.