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Wiseman is known for his critical examination and frequent debunking of unusual phenomena, including reports of [[paranormal phenomena]]. He is a fellow of the [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]] (CSI).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/about/csi_fellows_and_staff/|publisher=Skeptical Inquirer|title=CSI Fellows and Staff}}</ref> His research has been published in numerous academic journals, reported at various conferences,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.richardwiseman.com/research/papers.html|title=Papers}}</ref> and featured on television.<ref name ="wiseman-imdb">{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1320922/|title=Richard Wiseman (I)|publisher=IMdb}}</ref>
Wiseman is known for his critical examination and frequent debunking of unusual phenomena, including reports of [[paranormal phenomena]]. He is a fellow of the [[Committee for Skeptical Inquiry]] (CSI).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.csicop.org/about/csi_fellows_and_staff/|publisher=Skeptical Inquirer|title=CSI Fellows and Staff}}</ref> His research has been published in numerous academic journals, reported at various conferences,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.richardwiseman.com/research/papers.html|title=Papers}}</ref> and featured on television.<ref name ="wiseman-imdb">{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1320922/|title=Richard Wiseman (I)|publisher=IMdb}}</ref>
In 2004, he took part in a preliminary test of [[Natasha Demkina]], a young Russian woman who claims to have a special vision that allows her to see inside of people's bodies and diagnose illnesses. The test was featured in the Discovery Channel documentary, ''The Girl with X-Ray Eyes''.<ref name ="hyman-SI">Hyman R, ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'', May 2005, [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/testing_natasha "Testing Natasha"]</ref>
In 2004, he took part in a preliminary test of [[Natasha Demkina]], a young Russian woman who claims to have a special vision that allows her to see inside of people's bodies and diagnose illnesses. The test was featured in the Discovery Channel documentary, ''The Girl with X-Ray Eyes''.<ref name ="hyman-SI">Hyman R, ''[[Skeptical Inquirer]]'', May 2005, [http://www.csicop.org/si/show/testing_natasha "Testing Natasha"]</ref>


In addition Wiseman has studied the principles of good and bad [[luck]], publishing the results in the self-help book ''[[The Luck Factor]]''. He showed that both good and bad luck result from measurable habits; for example, lucky people, by expecting good luck, might expend more effort in their endeavours, resulting in more success, reinforcing their belief in good luck. Lucky people are outgoing and observant and therefore have many more chance encounters than unlucky people, each of which could bring a lucky opportunity. Moreover lucky people are more likely to look on the bright side of 'bad' encounters. In a mental exercise describing being shot during a bank robbery, lucky people considered themselves lucky not to have been killed while unlucky people considered themselves unlucky to have been shot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/raising-happiness/201003/happy-go-lucky|title=Happy-go-Lucky|publisher=Psychology Today|last=Carter|first=Christine}}</ref>
In addition Wiseman has studied the principles of good and bad [[luck]], publishing the results in the self-help book ''[[The Luck Factor]]''. He showed that both good and bad luck result from measurable habits; for example, lucky people, by expecting good luck, might expend more effort in their endeavours, resulting in more success, reinforcing their belief in good luck. Lucky people are outgoing and observant and therefore have many more chance encounters than unlucky people, each of which could bring a lucky opportunity. Moreover lucky people are more likely to look on the bright side of 'bad' encounters. In a mental exercise describing being shot during a bank robbery, lucky people considered themselves lucky not to have been killed while unlucky people considered themselves unlucky to have been shot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/raising-happiness/201003/happy-go-lucky|title=Happy-go-Lucky|publisher=Psychology Today|last=Carter|first=Christine}}</ref>

Revision as of 10:36, 20 March 2012

Richard Wiseman
Richard Wiseman speaking at TAM London, October 2009
Born1966 (age 57–58)
London, England, United Kingdom
Occupation(s)Psychologist, professor
Websitehttp://richardwiseman.wordpress.com/

Richard Wiseman (born 1966) is Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. Wiseman started his professional life as a magician, before graduating in Psychology from University College London and obtaining a Ph.D. in Psychology from the University of Edinburgh.[1]

Wiseman is known for his critical examination and frequent debunking of unusual phenomena, including reports of paranormal phenomena. He is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry (CSI).[2] His research has been published in numerous academic journals, reported at various conferences,[3] and featured on television.[4] In 2004, he took part in a preliminary test of Natasha Demkina, a young Russian woman who claims to have a special vision that allows her to see inside of people's bodies and diagnose illnesses. The test, the validity of which has been disputed,[5] [6] was featured in the Discovery Channel documentary, The Girl with X-Ray Eyes.[7]

In addition Wiseman has studied the principles of good and bad luck, publishing the results in the self-help book The Luck Factor. He showed that both good and bad luck result from measurable habits; for example, lucky people, by expecting good luck, might expend more effort in their endeavours, resulting in more success, reinforcing their belief in good luck. Lucky people are outgoing and observant and therefore have many more chance encounters than unlucky people, each of which could bring a lucky opportunity. Moreover lucky people are more likely to look on the bright side of 'bad' encounters. In a mental exercise describing being shot during a bank robbery, lucky people considered themselves lucky not to have been killed while unlucky people considered themselves unlucky to have been shot.[8]

In 2001 Wiseman led LaughLab, an international experiment to find the world's funniest joke.[9] The winning joke described a caller to emergency services who shoots his friend in order to comply with the instruction "First, let's make sure he's dead".[9] The experiment also explored regional and cultural variations in humour.

Wiseman's research has been featured on over 150 television programmes, including Horizon, Equinox and World In Action.[4] He is regularly heard on BBC Radio 4, including appearances on Start the Week, Midweek and the Today programme. Wiseman also makes numerous appearances on the British television show The Real Hustle, explaining the psychology behind many of the scams and confidence tricks.[4] Feature articles about his work have regularly appeared in The Times, The Daily Telegraph and The Guardian, and a recent poll revealed that he was the psychologist most frequently quoted in the British media.[citation needed]

In 2011, Wiseman wrote the first section of a collaborative story at Libboo, in an attempt to produce a full-length novel in two months. The final result of this experiment, was a novel called, Paradox: The curious life, and mysterious death, of Mr Joseph Wheeler.[citation needed]

Awards

Books

Richard Wiseman talks about 59 Seconds on Bookbits radio.
  • Wiseman, R. & Morris, R. L. (1995). Guidelines for Testing Psychic Claimants. Hatfield, UK: University of Hertfordshire Press (US edition: Amherst, USA: Prometheus Press).
  • Milton, J. & Wiseman, R. (1997). Guidelines for Extrasensory Perception Research. Hatfield, UK: University of Hertfordshire Press.
  • Wiseman, R. (1997). Deception and self-deception: Investigating Psychics. Amherst, USA: Prometheus Press
  • Lamont, P. & Wiseman, R. (1999). Magic in Theory: an introduction to the theoretical and psychological elements of conjuring. Hatfield, UK: University of Hertfordshire Press (US edition: Hermetic Press).
  • Wiseman, R. (2002). Laughlab: The Scientific Search For The World's Funniest Joke. London, UK: Random House
  • Wiseman, R. (2003). The Luck Factor. London, UK: Random House
  • Wiseman, R. (2004). Did you spot the gorilla? How to recognise hidden opportunities in your life. London, UK: Random House
  • Wiseman, R. & Watt, C. (2005). Parapsychology. London, UK: Ashgate International Library of Psychology. Series Editor, Prof. David Canter
  • Wiseman, R. (2007). Quirkology. London, UK: Pan Macmillan
  • Wiseman, R. (2009). 59 Seconds: Think a Little, Change a Lot. London, UK: Pan Macmillan
  • Wiseman, R. (2011). Paranormality: Why we see what isn't there. London, UK: Pan Macmillan

References

  1. ^ Hertfordshire University
  2. ^ "CSI Fellows and Staff". Skeptical Inquirer.
  3. ^ "Papers".
  4. ^ a b c "Richard Wiseman (I)". IMdb.
  5. ^ Baty, Phil (10 December 2004). "Scientists fail to see eye to eye over girl's 'X-ray vision'". Times HIgher Education. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  6. ^ Rennolls, Keith (17 December 2004). "Distorted visions". Times Higher Education. Retrieved 20 March 2012.
  7. ^ Hyman R, Skeptical Inquirer, May 2005, "Testing Natasha"
  8. ^ Carter, Christine. "Happy-go-Lucky". Psychology Today.
  9. ^ a b "LaughLab".
  10. ^ a b Education Guardian March 2, 2004
  11. ^ "Turning scientific papers into best-selling prose".

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