Science Weekly
Summer picks: the science of ‘weird shit’
Aug 29, 2024
Chris French, a psychologist renowned for his research on paranormal claims, discusses the allure of ‘weird shit’ in our lives. He dives into the psychology behind beliefs in the paranormal, dissecting cognitive biases that fuel fascination with coincidences and conspiracy theories. French explains how our minds seek rationality in extraordinary experiences and explores why we attribute meaning to seemingly random events. With engaging stories and mental experiments, he unveils the surprising patterns in human thought and belief.
18:59
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Quick takeaways
- The study of anomalistic psychology highlights cognitive biases as key factors influencing beliefs in paranormal phenomena and uncanny experiences.
- Coincidence plays a significant role in shaping perceptions, often driving individuals toward extraordinary explanations rather than statistical realities.
Deep dives
Understanding Anomalistic Psychology
Anomalistic psychology seeks to provide non-paranormal explanations for experiences often labeled as paranormal, such as sightings of ghosts or unexplained phenomena. The field operates under the hypothesis that paranormal forces do not exist and aims to interpret bizarre experiences through psychological factors like memory unreliability and cognitive biases. A significant focus is placed on identifying how past experiences, beliefs, and emotional states contribute to an individual's interpretation of strange occurrences. By analyzing these elements, the field hopes to demystify experiences that many attribute to the supernatural.
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