The Skeptics Society & Skeptic magazine

Episode Notes for
MonsterTalk Special #003:
Seeing is Believing

“I KNOW WHAT I SAW.” So say many witnesses to the bizarre and unusual—and even the mundane. But do you really know what you saw? In this special episode of MonsterTalk, memory expert Elizabeth Loftus and psychologist Richard Wiseman explain how perilous and frail are the tools and materials we use to build our fortresses of certitude.

About Our Guests

Richard Wiseman is a psychologist who has specialized in studying paranormal psychology and, most recently, the science behind self-help technologies. His latest book is The As If Principle and MonsterTalk listeners may also enjoy his book Paranormality: Why we see what isn’t there.

Elizabeth Loftus is a psychologist who has specialized in the study of false memories and eyewitness testimony. Her research has revolutionized our understanding of how memories work, and how uncertain eyewitness testimony can be. Her books include: The Myth of Repressed Memory: False Memories and Allegations of Sexual Abuse, and Eyewitness Testimony.

Music

• Monstertalk Theme: Monster by Peach Stealing Monkeys
• Indigo Road and Behold by Joey Fehrenbach, used by permission

The views expressed on this program are not necessarily the views of the Skeptics Society or Skeptic magazine.