Science Weekly Summer picks: the science of ‘weird shit’
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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.
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Non-Paranormal First Principle
- Anomalistic psychology seeks non-paranormal explanations for paranormal experiences.
- It assumes paranormal forces don't exist and tests cognitive, memory, and perceptual causes.
Intentionality Bias Explains Agent Beliefs
- Humans show an intentionality bias, assuming events are caused by agents.
- This likely evolved for threat detection and favours detecting agents over missing threats.
The Lost Ring In Greece
- Chris French recounts a striking ring coincidence in Greece involving a recovered wedding ring.
- The ring matched a surname and engagement date, resolving a 40-year mystery.