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March 18, 2005

Strange But True!

Q. Why do people do crazy things when the moon is full, catch colds after getting wet and chilled, feel arthritis pains when the weather changes, become as kids hyperkinetic from eating lots of sugar, become as married couples more likely to conceive a child after adopting one? Clue: Amazingly, the same answer applies in all of these cases and many more.

A. They don't, they don't, they don't, they don't, they don't! Why so many people believe they do has to do with "illusory correlation," says David G. Myers in "Psychology, 7th Edition." In the moon case, imagine the four possible situations and outcomes: 1. Full moon, something weird happens; 2. Full moon, nothing happens; 3. No full moon, something weird happens; 4. No full moon, nothing happens.


 
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