Fact and Fable in Psychology

"Fact and Fable in Psychology" by Joseph Jastrow is a set of writings from the 1800s that looks at different ideas in the world of the mind and the wrong ideas people have about them, especially when it comes to magic and things that aren't scientific. Jastrow wants to show how important it is to think carefully and use science to understand how our minds work, and to tell the difference between what is true and what people just believe. He starts by talking about why people are so interested in strange and often wrong ideas about the mind, like beliefs in the occult and talking to spirits. Jastrow talks about how hard it is for those who study the mind to fight against these common misunderstandings, which are often made worse by exciting stories and old superstitions. Jastrow believes that we should focus on understanding how our minds normally work, instead of getting too caught up in strange mind powers, suggesting that if we better understand our basic thought processes, it will shed light on the strange things that grab everyone's attention.