Gil Greengross is a lecturer in the Department of Psychology at Aberystwyth University. He earned his
doctorate in Evolutionary Anthropology at the University of New Mexico. His interdisciplinary research bridges traditional fields of study such as psychology, anthropology, and biology, and includes the evolutionary bases of humour and laughter, the importance of humour in mating, and sex differences in humour. In recent years he’s expanded his interest to studying people with extreme creative abilities and people from creative occupations such as stand-up comedians, improvisational artists and magicians.
Magic is as old as humanity itself, with people in every culture fascinated by some form of magic, wizardry, or the occult. Magic performances transcend mere illusions; they evoke a sense of wonder, provide exhilaration, and are aesthetically pleasing. Psychological research reveals the underlying processes of magic tricks, such as perception, deception, attention, and belief systems. In this Dialogue, Gil will delve into how magic appeals to our psychology, examine the unique characteristics of magicians, and explore what sets them apart from other creative groups.
Book and reserve your free space for this talk here.