Stuart Vyse

Stuart Vyse is a behavioral scientist, teacher, and writer. He is a contributing editor and writes the monthly “Behavior & Belief” column for Skeptical Inquirer magazine and personal essays in a variety of places, including the Observer, Medium, The Atlantic, The Good Men Project, and Tablet.

The first edition of his book BELIEVING IN MAGIC: THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SUPERSTITION won the William James Book Award of the American Psychological Association and was translated into Japanese, German, and Romanian. An updated edition was published in 2014. His book GOING BROKE: WHY AMERICANS (STILL) CAN'T HOLD ON TO THEIR MONEY is an analysis of the current epidemic of personal debt. The first edition was translated into Chinese, and the second edition was released in 2018 in both paperback and audiobook formats.

As an expert on superstition and irrational behavior, Vyse has been quoted in many news outlets, including the New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, and has appeared on CBS Sunday Morning, CNN International, the PBS NewsHour, and NPR’s Science Friday.

Vyse holds a PhD in psychology and BA and MA degrees in English Literature and is a Fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry. He has taught at Providence College, the University of Rhode Island, and Connecticut College. He is a fellow of the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and of the Association for Psychological Science.