Skip to main content

Up Next

How Dana Scully Changed Science

How Dana Scully Changed Science

Season 4 Episode 29
6:27
Big Tech's Battle For Our Attention

Big Tech's Battle For Our Attention

Season 4 Episode 30
11:36
How One Company Redefined Social Norms

How One Company Redefined Social Norms

Season 4 Episode 32
10:01
Google Owns 28% of Your Brain

Google Owns 28% of Your Brain

Season 4 Episode 33
9:14
Your Emotions Are For Sale

Your Emotions Are For Sale

Season 4 Episode 34
10:01
Episode 5: The Calling

The Calling

Season 4 Episode 5
53:05
When Whales Could Walk

When Whales Could Walk

Season 51 Episode 1
53:31
Back to Show
BrainCraft

How Magicians Trick Your Brain

Season 4 Episode 27

Siegfried Tieber, a sleight-of-hand magician, or cognitive artist if you will, takes us through some illusions (formerly known as magic tricks). Magicians use a number of psychological tricks to bring their performances to life, such as guiding attention and forcing decisions. Can you decipher what's going on here?

Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Support Provided By
Season
4 Weird Audio Illusions!
4:55
Do you trust your ears?
Are You Paying Attention?
3:56
Put your observation skills to the test.
How Many Choices Are Too Many?
2:50
Is more choice really better than less?
What Cats Taught Us About Perception
3:00
Can you see what I see? Let me know if you were tricked by these illusions!
The Man With a Hole in His Brain
2:33
The *mind-blowing* story of Phineas Gage, a man who survived with a hole in his brain
How Good is Your Memory?
3:04
The curious case of a man who lost his memory, but could still learn things.
4 Odd Things We've Seen in Your Brain
3:12
Sometimes things get a little weird in fMRI machines.
Can You Win This Game?
2:56
Would you pay to make things fair, or maximize your profit?
Your Brain on Tetris
3:42
Even the simplest video games can impact the structure of our brains!
Weird Brain Myths from History!
3:00
Some ideas about the brain that seem weird now–They also shaped modern neuroscience.
Why Do We Find Things Disgusting? | BrainCraft Q&A!
5:08
It's my 50th episode! Celebrate with questions about disgust, boredom, and salty tears.
Why Are Some People So Easily Fooled?
2:43
Are you easily fooled? Why we fall for April Fool's Pranks.
Active loading indicator