Are ghosts real? A social psychologist examines the evidence
October 25, 2023, Barry Markovsky
In an article for The Conversation, Distinguished Professor Emeritus of sociology Barry Markovsky looks at people’s belief in ghosts.
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Why people tend to believe UFOs are extraterrestrial
July 17, 2023, Barry Markovsky
Barry Markovsky, distinguished professor emeritus of sociology, writes for The Conversation about the continuing fascination with UFOs — unidentified flying objects — and the persistent belief that these things are not of our world.
Why is 13 considered unlucky?
January 09, 2023, Barry Markovsky
Distinguished Professor Emeritus of sociology Barry Markovsky writes for The Conversation about the superstition around the number 13.
Happy Twosday!
February 21, 2022, Barry Markovsky
Barry Markovsky, professor emeritus of sociology, writes for The Conversation about how the human brain has evolved to find meaning in numbers.
How did the superstition that broken mirrors cause bad luck start?
June 30, 2021, Barry Markovsky
The origins of many superstitions are unknown. Others can be traced to specific times in history, sociology professor Barry Markovsky writes in The Conversation. Included in this second category is a superstition that is between 2,000 and 2,700 years old: Breaking a mirror brings seven years of bad luck.