The Science of Superstition by Bruce M Hood

The Science of Superstition by Bruce M Hood

"In an account chock full of real-world examples reinforced by experimental research, Hood's marvelous book is an important contribution to the psychological literature that is revealing the actuality of our very irrational human nature." -- Science

In the vein of Malcolm Gladwell's Blink, Mary Roach's Spook, and Dan Ariely's Predictably Irrational, The Science of Superstition uses hard science to explain pervasive irrational beliefs and behaviors: from the superstitious rituals of sports stars, to the depreciated value of houses where murders were committed, to the adoration of Elvis.

BRUCE HOOD is the author of The Science of Superstition and one of the world's foremost experts on child development and adult supernatural beliefs. He holds a PhD from the University of Cambridge and has taught at UCL and Harvard, as well as being a visiting scientist at MIT. He is currently the chair of developmental psychology and director of the Bristol Cognitive Development Centre at Bristol University in England. He was born in Toronto and currently resides in Bristol, UK.