The Science of Superstition · How the Developing Brain Creates Supernatural Beliefs

“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.