Why People Believe Weird Things

Michael Shermer is a science writer, historian of science and founder of The Skeptics Society, which is largely devoted to investigating pseudoscientific and supernatural claims.

Who doesn’t want to know why people believe weird things? So expect a crowd when psychologist and New York Times bestselling author Michael Shermer delivers the Alan E. Kazdin Endowed Lecture in Psychology at 3 p.m. Oct. 8 in the Student Union’s Barrett Ballroom. Shermer’s books include “Why People Believe Weird Things,” and “The Believing Brain,” which present his comprehensive theory on how beliefs are born, formed, nourished, reinforced, challenged, changed and extinguished.

Kazdin, ‘67 Psychology, is among the nation’s leading experts on parenting and child rearing. The speaker series brings accomplished psychologists from across the country to SJSU. Psychology is among SJSU’s most popular majors.