Extraordinary Beliefs: A Historical Approach to a Psychological Problem

Peter Lamont

ISBN 10: 1107019338 / ISBN 13: 9781107019331

Published by Cambridge University Press 01/b /07 F, 2013

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Bibliographic Details

• Title: Extraordinary Beliefs: A Historical Approach to a Psychological Problem
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press 01/b /07 F
• Publication Date: 2013
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1107019338
• ISBN 13: 9781107019331
• Binding: Hardcover
• Condition: Very Good

About this title

Synopsis

Since the early nineteenth century, mesmerists, mediums and psychics have exhibited extraordinary phenomena. These have been demonstrated, reported and disputed by every modern generation. We continue to wonder why people believe in such things, while others wonder why they are dismissed so easily. Extraordinary Beliefs takes a historical approach to an ongoing psychological problem: why do people believe in extraordinary phenomena? It considers the phenomena that have been associated with mesmerism, spiritualism, psychical research and parapsychology. By drawing upon conjuring theory, frame analysis and discourse analysis, it examines how such phenomena have been made convincing in demonstration and report, and then disputed endlessly. It argues that we cannot understand extraordinary beliefs unless we properly consider the events in which people believe, and what people believe about them. And it shows how, in constructing and maintaining particular beliefs about particular phenomena, we have been in the business of constructing ourselves.

About the Author

Dr Peter Lamont is a Senior Lecturer at the School of Philosophy, Psychology and Language Sciences, University of Edinburgh. He is Programme Director of the MSc in History and Theory of Psychology, and Honorary Secretary of the British Psychological Society (History and Philosophy of Psychology Section). He is also a longstanding member of the Koestler Parapsychology Unit, a former professional magician, an Associate of the Inner Magic Circle and Past President of the Edinburgh Magic Circle. He has published extensively on the history and psychology of magic and the paranormal.