Do you remember the first time you saw a magic trick? Maybe it was a rabbit pulled from an empty hat, or you were asked to pick a card, any card. On the surface, magic can look like nothing more than clever props, hidden compartments, and theatrical flair – but many of the manipulations you perfect as a magician touch on profound questions in psychology. The rest of this article is behind a paywall. Please sign in or subscribe to access the full content.

Science can help us explain what makes a good magic trick, but the principles behind magic can also serve as powerful tools for science. That’s exactly what’s happening at the UK’s only MAGIC Lab at Plymouth University, established by magician and psychologist Dr Gustav Kuhn.

The MAGIC Lab has become a hub for exploring human behavior

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