Matt Tompkins

Join Oxford-educated psychologist and magician Matt Tompkins, author of The Spectacle of Illusion, as he unravels the fascinating tale of Clever Hans, the horse misinterpreted as a genius. Discover how the Clever Hans Effect showcases the often unseen cues influencing our beliefs. Explore the allure of magical thinking in modern life, the intriguing overlap between magic and psychology, and how critical thinking can be enhanced through creative tools. Tompkins reveals the balance between skepticism and belief, enriching our understanding of perception and memory.

Matt Tompkins, an Oxford‑educated experimental psychologist and magician studying deception and magical thinking. He recounts Clever Hans, how unconscious cues and double‑blind tests reshaped experiments, and how magicians help reveal perception, memory, and false testimony. Short takes on fake mind‑reading devices, cold reading, and why magical thinking persists in modern culture.