20 March 2013
'The Psychology of Magic' - Café Science event on 25th March
The tools and techniques deployed by magicians to baffle their audiences with seemingly impossible acts will be explored at the next Café Science Dundee event.
Dr Ben Tatler, an expert in cognition and perception at the University of Dundee, will deliver a talk entitled 'The Psychology of Magic: Understanding how we see the World' at Chambers Coffee House and Restaurant on Monday, 25th March.
He will explain that our perception of the world around us is itself an illusion created by our brains and that, by working together, science and magic can improve our understanding of the workings of the brain.
"Magicians are able to exploit this disconnect between how we really see and how we think we see the world," he explained. "Through misdirection we are beginning to learn more about social interaction, and through illusions we are learning more about how the brain interprets what we see.
"Because of this, magic can reveal new insights into how our brains work, without revealing the mysteries and mastery of the magician."
The popular Café Science series recently celebrated its 5th birthday, with more than 4000 people having taken the opportunity to hear about the ground-breaking scientific research happening locally since 2008.
The popularity of these informal discussions led by leading researchers from the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, James Hutton Institute and across Scotland has helped to enhance public understanding of science, and topics ranging from sea-monsters to the search for E.T. have been covered.
'The Psychology of Magic: Understanding how we see the World' takes place at Chambers Coffee House and Restaurant, South Tay Street, at 7pm, Monday, 25th March. Entry is free and open to all, and while the event is not ticketed, people are advised to arrive early to avoid disappointment.
If you would like to suggest a topic or are interested in speaking at Café Science please contact cafescience@dundee.ac.uk.
For media enquiries contact:
Grant Hill
Press Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384768
E-MAIL: g.hill@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07854 953277 |
