Richard Wiseman

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Richard Wiseman 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.

Professor Wiseman is known for his critical examination and frequent debunking of unusual phenomena, including reports of paranormal phenomena. His research has been published in numerous academic journals, reported at various conferences, and featured on television. 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.

In 2001 Professor Wiseman led an international experiment to find the world's funniest joke. Wiseman's research has been featured on over 150 television programmes, including Horizon, Equinox and World In Action. 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. 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.

Professor Wiseman's latest book is Quirkology, published in May 2007.

Awards

• CSICOP Public Education in Science Award, 2000
• BAAS Joseph Lister Award, 2002

Books

• 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

External links

• Official website of Richard Wiseman
• The Telegraph online article
• Laughlab, the world's funniest joke experiment
• Interview With Dr. Richard Wiseman Discusses the Skeptical Community, Quirky Psychology, and What’s Lacking in Paranormal Research
• Website of Richard Wiseman's book Quirkology

References

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Last updated on Friday February 08, 2008 at 15:17:23 PST (GMT -0800)
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