Supersense: Why We Believe In — The Unbelievable

: Hood highlights that humans are natural "essentialists"—we believe objects carry an invisible essence. This is why most people would refuse to wear a sweater once owned by a serial killer, yet might cherish a lock of hair from a loved one.

: These beliefs emerge very early in childhood. Babies act like "little scientists," forming hypotheses about how the world should work. When reality doesn't match their expectations, they often fill the gaps with supernatural explanations. SuperSense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable

: High-profile athletes like John McEnroe and Wade Boggs are cited for their meticulous, superstitious pre-game rituals used to gain a perceived sense of control. : A famous demonstration where Hood offers a

: A famous demonstration where Hood offers a cardigan to an audience, then reveals it supposedly belonged to a notorious killer; the visceral recoil from the audience illustrates our deep-seated belief in "evil" essences. award-winning cognitive scientist Bruce M.

: Available as an audiobook at Google Play and AudiobooksNow , or as an ebook through eBooks.com .

Are you interested in how these specifically affect modern religious beliefs , or SuperSense: Why We Believe in the Unbelievable - Goodreads

In , award-winning cognitive scientist Bruce M. Hood explores the fascinating psychological machinery that drives our belief in the supernatural. Rather than dismissing these beliefs as mere ignorance, Hood argues that they are a natural byproduct of how the human brain is hardwired from birth to understand the world. Core Concepts and Insights