On weirdonomics and quirkology

Writes Michael Shermer on SciAm....describing University of Hertfordshire psychologist Richard Wiseman's work on all matters peculiar. Sample this:

Using an index finger, trace the capital letter Q on your forehead. Wiseman explains that the Q test is a quick measure of “self-monitoring.” High self-monitors tend to draw the letter Q with the tail slanting to their left, so that someone facing them can read it. By temperament, they tend to focus outwardly: they are concerned with how other people see them, enjoy being the center of attention and adapt their actions to suit the situation. They are also skilled at manipulating others, Wiseman says, which makes them good at deception. And self-deception, apparently, which he discovered when he told these subjects what the experiment is supposed to measure—given that high self-monitors tended to claim (and apparently believe) that they traced the Q the opposite direction to how they actually drew it.

Of course, he probably never encountered anyone (ahem..cough cough :) ) who drew a lower case q on their vast forehead despite the clear instructions and then wondered which category they belonged to and (time to use Evanesco!)