The Absorption Company - Shop now
Add Prime to get Fast, Free delivery
Amazon prime logo
$22.70 with 33 percent savings
List Price: $33.99
Get Fast, Free Shipping with Amazon Prime FREE Returns
FREE delivery Wednesday, January 15 on orders shipped by Amazon over $35. Order within 5 hrs 53 mins
Only 5 left in stock (more on the way).
$$22.70 () Includes selected options. Includes initial monthly payment and selected options. Details
Price
Subtotal
$$22.70
Subtotal
Initial payment breakdown
Shipping cost, delivery date, and order total (including tax) shown at checkout.
Ships from
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Ships from
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Amazon.com
Sold by
Amazon.com
Returns
30-day refund/replacement
30-day refund/replacement
This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Payment
Secure transaction
Your transaction is secure
We work hard to protect your security and privacy. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. We don’t share your credit card details with third-party sellers, and we don’t sell your information to others. Learn more
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Stuart Vyse
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition - Updated Edition Updated ed. Edition

by Stuart A. Vyse (Author)
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 22 ratings
See all formats and editions
{"desktop_buybox_group_1":[{"displayPrice":"$22.70","priceAmount":22.70,"currencySymbol":"$","integerValue":"22","decimalSeparator":".","fractionalValue":"70","symbolPosition":"left","hasSpace":false,"showFractionalPartIfEmpty":true,"offerListingId":"q3ulbQmVSy%2BQEuLMtDOLLe%2FIbU7yXVQCy01u2%2Bj1WMeHcyZq8lPxW3aofr1fsCucSmG11urWIF7Rfn63ir6nXQfIwX8HClpAq%2FMeSBmbGttyvmuSdlMq5hFp6lI8Qaku7B5QvgAvzBmnsbI4fmAx5g%3D%3D","locale":"en-US","buyingOptionType":"NEW","aapiBuyingOptionIndex":0}]}

Purchase options and add-ons

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 Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs. Superstitions, he writes, are the natural result of several psychological processes, including our human sensitivity to coincidence, a penchant for developing rituals to fill time (to battle nerves, impatience, or both), our efforts to cope with uncertainty, the need for control, and more. In a new Introduction, Vyse discusses important developments and the latest research on jinxes, paranormal beliefs, and luck. He also distinguishes superstition from paranormal and religious beliefs and identifies the potential benefits of superstition for believers. He examines the research to demonstrate how we can better understand complex human behavior. Although superstition is a normal part of our culture, Vyse argues that we must provide alternative methods of coping with life's uncertainties by teaching decision analysis, promoting science education, and challenging ourselves to critically evaluate the sources of our beliefs.
Previous slide of product details
  1. ISBN-10
    019999692X
  2. ISBN-13
    978-0199969289
  3. Edition
    Updated ed.
  4. Publisher
    Oxford University Press
  5. Publication date
    October 1, 2013
  6. Language
    English
  7. Dimensions
    8.27 x 5.51 x 0.69 inches
  8. Print length
    328 pages
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details
Books%20with%20Buzz
Books with Buzz
Discover the latest buzz-worthy books, from mysteries and romance to humor and nonfiction. Explore more

Frequently bought together

Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition - Updated Edition
This item: Believing in Magic: The Psychology of Superstition - Updated Edition
$22.70
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jan 15
Only 5 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
The Science of Superstition: How the Developing Brain Creates Supernatural Beliefs
$10.01
Get it as soon as Thursday, Jan 30
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
Thinking, Fast and Slow
$13.55
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Jan 15
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price: $00
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
spCSRF_Treatment
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Show details Hide details
Choose items to buy together.

Editorial Reviews

Book Description

In this fully updated edition of Believing in Magic, renowned superstition expert Stuart Vyse investigates our tendency towards these irrational beliefs.

About the Author

Stuart A. Vyse is Joanne Toor Cummings '50 Professor of Psychology at Connecticut College.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Oxford University Press; Updated ed. edition (October 1, 2013)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 328 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 019999692X
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-0199969289
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 13.4 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.27 x 5.51 x 0.69 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 22 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Stuart Vyse

Stuart Vyse

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Stuart Vyse is a behavioral scientist, teacher, and writer. He is a contributing editor and writes the monthly “Behavior & Belief” column for Skeptical Inquirer magazine and personal essays in a variety of places, including the Observer, Medium, The Atlantic, The Good Men Project, and Tablet.

The first edition of his book BELIEVING IN MAGIC: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SUPERSTITION won the William James Book Award of the American Psychological Association and was translated into Japanese, German, and Romanian. An updated edition was published in 2014. His book GOING BROKE: WHY AMERICANS (STILL) CAN'T HOLD ON TO THEIR MONEY is an analysis of the current epidemic of personal debt. The first edition was translated into Chinese, and the second edition was released in 2018 in both paperback and audiobook formats.

As an expert on superstition and irrational behavior, Vyse has been quoted in many news outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN International, the PBS NewsHour, and NPR’s Science Friday.

Vyse holds a PhD in psychology and BA and MA degrees in English Literature and is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He has taught at Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, and Connecticut College. He is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and of the Association for Psychological Science.

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
22 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Top reviews from the United States

Top reviews from other countries

  • Alain
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on January 12, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    All is perfect

    Alain
    Report
  • Basket Press
    5.0 out of 5 stars Does what it says and more
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 20, 2014
    Verified Purchase
    Ostensibly this is an examination of how people arrive at superstitious beliefs, and it does that very well, clearly and concisely written and well referenced.

    However, there is more, much more, as in examining superstitious thought Dr Vyse slips in a lot of other psychological theory, making it something of a stealth psychology primer, and none the worse for that.

    A very useful and interesting book.
    Report
  • Hugo
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 17, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    This is a very informative book. It is written very clearly and readably. The structure is logical. Exemplary.

    Reading Bruce Hood's Supersense, I expect Vyse may benefit from adding more on the impact of childhood instincts at some point.
    Report