Believing in Magic

By Stuart A. Vyse,

Book cover of Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition

Book description

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…

When you buy books, we may earn a commission that helps keep our lights on (or join the rebellion as a member).

Why read it?

1 author picked Believing in Magic as one of their favorite books. Why do they recommend it?

This book examines the psychology of superstition from the perspective of cognitive science and fallibility of human reasoning. Rather than dismissing superstitious behaviour, Vyse provides a comprehensive explanation of why we continue to hold such beliefs as a function of the way our minds work. This was the book that really inspired me to examine the developmental origins of magical thinking.

From Bruce's list on magical thinking and superstition.

If you love Believing in Magic...

Ad

Book cover of Tap Dancing on Everest: A Young Doctor's Unlikely Adventure

Tap Dancing on Everest by Mimi Zieman,

Tap Dancing on Everest, part coming-of-age memoir, part true-survival adventure story, is about a young medical student, the daughter of a Holocaust survivor raised in N.Y.C., who battles self-doubt to serve as the doctor—and only woman—on a remote Everest climb in Tibet.

The team attempts a new route up…

Want books like Believing in Magic?

Our community of 12,000+ authors has personally recommended 88 books like Believing in Magic.

Browse books like Believing in Magic

Book cover of The God Delusion
Book cover of Why People Believe Weird Things: Pseudoscience, Superstition, and Other Confusions of Our Time
Book cover of White Bears and Other Unwanted Thoughts: Suppression, Obsession, and the Psychology of Mental Control

Share your top 3 reads of 2024!

And get a beautiful page showing off your 3 favorite reads.

1,883

readers submitted
so far, will you?

Ad

📚 If you like Believing in Magic, you might also like...

Book cover of I Am Taurus

I Am Taurus by Stephen Palmer,

The constellation we know as Taurus goes all the way back to cave paintings of aurochs at Lascaux. This book traces the story of the bull in the sky, a journey through the history of what has become known as the sacred bull.

Each of the sections is written from…

Book cover of Unlearning Silence: How to Speak Your Mind, Unleash Talent, and Live More Fully

Unlearning Silence by Elaine Lin Hering,

Unlearning Silence is paradigm-shifting book looking at the pervasive influence of silence and how we can begin to dismantle it at home and at work. 

Having a seat at the table doesn’t mean that your voice is actually welcome. Knowing something is wrong doesn't mean it's easy to speak up.…

5 book lists we think you will like!

Interested in superstitions, cognitive science, and the paranormal?

Superstitions 22 books
The Paranormal 260 books