meta_pixel
Tapesearch Logo
Log in
The Psychology Podcast

Gustav Kuhn || The Science of Magic

The Psychology Podcast

iHeartPodcasts

Social Sciences, Science

4.42K Ratings

🗓️ 4 July 2019

⏱️ 48 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Today it’s great to have Gustav Kuhn on the show. Born in Switzerland, Kuhn discovered his passion for magic at the age of 13, and much of his teenage years were dedicated to the art of illusion and deception. At the age of 19 he moved to London to follow his dream of becoming a professional magician, but his career took a dramatic change after he discovered a keen interest for psychology. Gustav went on to study psychology at Sussex University, and towards the end of his PhD, he noticed a direct link between magic and psychology. His unique background in science and magic allowed him to build bridges between these two domains, which helped him establish a science of magic. Kuhn is now a Reader at Goldsmiths University of London, and director of the MAGIC-Lab (Mind Attention & General Illusory Cognition). He is one of the pioneering researchers in the Science of Magic and he is one of the founding members and president of the Science of Magic Association. His latest book is called “Experiencing the Impossible: The Science of Magic”. What is the link between psychology and magic? The link between perception and magic What is magic? What is not magic? The link between magic and well-being Early childhood experiences of magicians The link between magic and creativity The role of misdirection in magic The neural basis of magic Do we all experience the same magic? The “magician’s force” The potential for using magic for bad ends Will magicians ever become obsolete in the age of machines? The link between magic and human-machine interaction How we can use science to enhance the magic endeavor --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/the-psychology-podcast/support

Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

Welcome to the psychology podcast where we give you insights into the mind, brain, behavior, and creativity.

0:13.0

I'm Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman,

0:15.0

and in each episode I have a conversation with a guest

0:18.0

who will stimulate your mind

0:19.0

and give you a greater understanding of yourself, others,

0:22.0

and the world we live in.

0:23.0

Hopefully we'll also provide a glimpse into human possibility.

0:27.0

Thanks for listening and enjoy the podcast.

0:30.0

Today it's great to have Gustav Cohen on the show.

0:37.0

Born in Switzerland, Koon discovered his passion for magic at the age of 13,

0:41.0

and much of his teenage years were dedicated to the art of

0:43.8

illusion and deception. At the age of 19 he moved to London to follow his dream

0:47.9

of becoming a professional magician but his career took a dramatic change after he

0:51.6

discovered a keen interest for psychology.

0:53.7

Uh-oh!

0:54.7

Gustav went on to study psychology at Sussex University and towards the end of his PhD he

0:59.5

noticed a direct link between magic and psychology. His unique background in science and

1:03.8

magic allowed him to build bridges between these two domains which helped him

1:06.9

establish a science of magic. Conan is a reader at Goldsmiths University of

1:11.7

London and director of the Magic Lab, who stands for mind,

1:15.2

attention, and general illusory cognition.

1:18.4

He is one of the pioneering researchers in the science of magic, and he is one of the founding

...

Please login to see the full transcript.

Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork embedded on this page are from iHeartPodcasts, and are the property of its owner and not affiliated with or endorsed by Tapesearch.

Generated transcripts are the property of iHeartPodcasts and are distributed freely under the Fair Use doctrine. Transcripts generated by Tapesearch are not guaranteed to be accurate.

Copyright © Tapesearch 2025.