The Barnum Effect Print

Barnum

Phrase: The Barnum Effect

Part of Speech: n

Definition: The tendency to accept certain vague or worthless information as true, such as character assessments, horoscopes or exaggerated claims.

Ever wondered how psychics give the illusion of talking with the dead? Ever wonder how magicians have been able to fool scientists into believing they have real powers? Ever wonder where all the stories of strange events and aliens came from?

The Barnum Effect is a presentation seeking to find out.

At the age of five, Pete started to become disillusioned with psychics he saw on TV because often they were doing the same tricks he'd learnt in magic books. Now as a contributor to Skeptic magazine, Pete is still intrigued as to why 80 per cent of people believe in some kind of paranormal phenomenon. The Barnum Effect premiered in June 2008. It is a combination stage show and lecture exploring the magicians' tricks psychics use to make people believe they have special powers. It combines interactive experiments in ESP, spiritualism, false memories and scams.