Activity #13

Gary Peterson cited two books that may help in developing class demonstrations using "magic." He also suggested asking professional magicians to give class demonstrations. Nevertheless, he cautioned that teachers need to be very clear about what critical-thinking lesson they want their students to learn when using such demonstrations.

Thu, 7 June 2001
Gary Peterson
Saginaw Valley State University
peterson@svsu.edu

The recent notes about mental/psychic demonstrations prompt me to recommend a couple of books for those interested in developing such demonstrations. I have an interest in magic and mentalism and its relation to various aspects of psychology. I recommend folks seek out a couple of small books for ideas:

Fulves, K. (1979). Self-working mental magic: 67 foolproof mind-reading tricks. New York: Dover Publications.

Severn, B. (1974). Bill Severn's Magic in mind: Mystifying mental tricks. Harrisburg, PA: Stackpole Books.

If local bookstores or on-line resources fail you, check your local listings for a magic store and also ask about a local magic club. You may find some members willing to come to your class and present a more professional demonstration. I feel the key here is to be clear on what you hope to accomplish: having students reflect on the experience/demonstration? having them develop ways to "test a psychic"? as an exercise in developing testable ideas? learning the limits of personal experience/perception? hunting for perceptual, sensory, cognitive principles being used by the magician? etc.