COMMENT:Vyse writes on superstitions -- irrational beliefs like those a performer acts upon before taking the stage, rather than elaborate pseudoscientific systems. He argues that well-known psychological processes such as the need for rituals to handle uncertainty account for superstition, and that teaching science and critical thinking skills should reduce our need to rely on paranormal beliefs. The book covers a lot of ground, also touching on the social transmission of superstitious beliefs, childhood quasi-superstitions, and the connections of superstition with psychopathology (very little). Though Vyse occasionally inappropriately lumps together paranormal and superstitious beliefs, he is usually careful about the distinction. Overall, this is a well-written book which illuminates an interesting aspect of human psychology.
DATE:19990625
KEYWORDS:psychology superstition
MISC:xii+257p.; illustrated
PUBLISHER:Oxford University Press
SUBMITADDR:bibliographer@csicop.org
SUBMITNAME:Taner Edis
TITLE:Believing In Magic: The Psychology of Superstition
