‘The Mentalist,’ a programme organised by Magic Planet in association with Kerala University Department of Psychology on Monday, sought to unravel the close connection between psychology and magic, through a range of tricks by magicians Gopinath Muthukkad and Preeth Azhikode.

Inaugurating the event at the Botany Hall of the Karyavattom campus, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University P.K. Radhakrishnan said that it was the science of observation that linked magic and psychology.

Key to magic

“It is said that science evolves from facts, but today’s world is determined by innovations and technological progress remains uncertain, like magic. What is certain today will be uncertain tomorrow,” he added.

Magic Academy Executive Director Gopinath Muthukad told the audience that magic was really observation and concentration where the trick was in diverting observation.

The process evolved from the mechanics of physics, chemistry, and mathematics, he said.

At an interactive session, psychology students and faculty were called on stage, with Mr. Azhikode and psychology professor G.K. Girish asking them to point out the psychological principles behind each trick.

They were also given an opportunity to question the psychological mechanism behind the tricks.

Tips for studies

Mr. Muthukad gave tips to quickly learn difficult subjects. Psychology department head Emmanuel Thomas, and botany department head Radhamani spoke on the occasion.