Crazy things happen during a full moon?
It's common knowledge that more babies are born during a full moon, right? And
policeman, fireman, ambulance drivers and emergency room doctors and nurses will
tell you that full-moon nights are more dangerous, crazy or hectic.
Recently BBC News reported that some British police departments have decided to add extra officers on nights with a full moon.
Researchers Ivan Kelly, James Rotton and Roger Culver say this perception may be rooted more in psychology than reality.
In their study "The Moon was Full and Nothing Happened" (published in the book "The Hundredth Monkey and Other Paradigms of the Paranormal," 1991) they examined more than 100 studies of alleged lunar effects and found no significant connection between phases of the moon and disasters, homicide rates, or births.
Furthermore, there is no known mechanism by which the moon would somehow influence a person's mind to make him more dangerous — except of course for his own expectations.
But there is a simple reason why there may be more crime on the nights of a full moon: people are more active during full moons than moonless nights. An especially beautiful full moon may lure families out into the night to appreciate it, and lovers to secluded romantic places.
Muggers and other criminals who ply their trade at night also use the moon's illumination to carry out their dirty deeds.
If there is even slightly more activity on a full moon night, then that may translate into a slight but real increase in crime, accidents, and injuries.
Recently BBC News reported that some British police departments have decided to add extra officers on nights with a full moon.
Researchers Ivan Kelly, James Rotton and Roger Culver say this perception may be rooted more in psychology than reality.
In their study "The Moon was Full and Nothing Happened" (published in the book "The Hundredth Monkey and Other Paradigms of the Paranormal," 1991) they examined more than 100 studies of alleged lunar effects and found no significant connection between phases of the moon and disasters, homicide rates, or births.
Furthermore, there is no known mechanism by which the moon would somehow influence a person's mind to make him more dangerous — except of course for his own expectations.
But there is a simple reason why there may be more crime on the nights of a full moon: people are more active during full moons than moonless nights. An especially beautiful full moon may lure families out into the night to appreciate it, and lovers to secluded romantic places.
Muggers and other criminals who ply their trade at night also use the moon's illumination to carry out their dirty deeds.
If there is even slightly more activity on a full moon night, then that may translate into a slight but real increase in crime, accidents, and injuries.
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