In my previous dismissive post, I somehow unaccountably failed to notice that the Martin (1992) review I cited as definitive against the moon-- behavior claim studied only suicide. I had instead remembered it as a general review of all areas. There are none so blind as those who will not read.
So I'm trying again, this time with PsycINFO. Also, the list below
should include the two papers that David Campbell brought to our
attention that he published in 1978 and 1982. Sorry, David. I should have
put them into my previous post (it's the usual excuse: late for supper,
working at home).
Madness and the Moon: The Lunar Cycle and Psychopathology Owens, M.;
McGowan, I. German Journal of Psychiatry. Vol 9(1), 2006, pp. 123-127
"Many mental health professionals continue to hold the belief that lunar
cycles can alter human behaviour despite contradictory evidence, but may
also be due to personal, ethical, aesthetic, and intuitive ways of
knowing. However, studies that have reported positive findings have been
shown to be methodologically flawed, inconclusive, or confounded with
other variables. Contrary to this belief in a Transylvanian effect are
more recent studies refuting any association, relationship, or
correlation between lunar cycles and human biology or behaviour"
The Effect of Lunar Phases on Domestic Violence Incident Rates Dowling,
K. Forensic Examiner. Vol 14(4), Win 2005, pp. 13-18
"The research in this article sought to determine whether lunar phases
affected the amount of domestic violence calls the Charlotte-Mecklenburg,
North Carolina, police department typically received. Data from almost
half a million calls during particular phases of the moon were recorded
to determine If any correlation existed between lunar cycles and domestic
violence incident rates. The research concluded that no correlation
exists."
Relationship of the lunar cycle and the presentation of individuals with
psychiatric problems to an accident and emergency department: A case-
control study Adamou, M. Primary Care Psychiatry. Vol 7(3), Sep 2001, pp.
115-116
"The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the
existence of a full moon and the presentation of patients seeking
psychiatric assistance from an accident and emergency department. The
main hypothesis is that more patients present with psychiatric problems
at an accident and emergency department when the moon is full as opposed
to the same day of the remaining weeks of the same month when it is not.
A case-control design was used. It was concluded that the phase of the
full moon is not associated with more referrals of patients with
psychiatric problems from an accident and emergency department."
Aggression in a prison setting as a function of lunar phases Simón, A.
Psychological Reports. Vol 82(3, Pt 1), Jun 1998, pp. 747-752
"Previous studies of the possible effects of the moon's phases upon
human behavior initially yielded contradictory results and later more
consistently negative results. The present study capitalized on a captive
deviant sample prone to aggression, one of the earlier targeted
behaviors. A Pearson correlation between number of reported incidents in
a Texas prison among 1,300 male inmates and the amount of lunar
luminosity (lunar phases) yielded no significant correlation"
Lunar cycle and consultations for anxiety and depression in general
practice Wilkinson, G.; Piccinelli, M. et al. International Journal of
Social Psychiatry. Vol 43(1), Spr 1997, pp. 29-34
"The moon had little influence on when individuals consulted their
general practitioner with anxiety or depression"
Aircraft accidents and disasters and full moon: No relationship Kelly,
I.et al. Psychology: A Journal of Human Behavior. Vol 27(2), 1990, pp.
30-33
Much ado about the full moon: A meta-analysis of lunar-lunacy research
Rotton, J.; Kelly, I. Psychological Bulletin. Vol 97(2), Mar 1985, pp.
286-306
"Conducted a meta-analysis of 37 published and unpublished studies to
examine relations between phases of the moon; type of lunar cycle; sex;
publication practices; geographical features (latitude, population
density); and several types of lunacy, including mental hospital
admissions, psychiatric disturbances, crisis calls, homicides, and other
criminal offenses. Results of effect-size estimates show that phases of
the moon accounted for no more than 1% of the variance in activities
usually termed lunacy. Alleged relations between phases of the moon and
behavior can be traced to inappropriate analyses, a failure to take other
(e.g., weekly) cycles into account, and a willingness to accept any
departure from chance as evidence of a lunar effect"
Drug overdose and the full moon Sharfman, M. Perceptual and Motor Skills.
Vol 50(1), Feb 1980, pp. 124-126
"No significant difference between the distribution of cases occurring
during the full moon phase and that outside of these periods was found"
Lunacy and the moon Campbell, David E.; Beets, J. Psychological Bulletin.
Vol 85(5), Sep 1978, pp. 1123-1129
"Reviews empirical literature concerning the belief in a relationship
between phases of the moon and human behavior. Studies are examined
relating lunar phase to psychiatric hospital admissions, suicides, and
homicides. It is concluded that lunar phase is not related to human
behavior and that the few positive findings are examples of a Type I
error".
Conclusion, now generalized, continues to stand, the occasional study
finding positive effects notwithstanding. Actually, David Campbell's
succinct 1978 conclusion (Psych Bull. 85, 1123-1129) still seems apropos
almost 30 years on: "It is concluded that lunar phase is not related to
human behavior and that the few positive findings are examples of a Type
I error."
Stephen
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Stephen L. Black, Ph.D.
Department of Psychology
Bishop's University e-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
2600 College St.
Sherbrooke QC J1M 0C8
Canada
Dept web page at http://www.ubishops.ca/ccc/div/soc/psy
TIPS discussion list for psychology teachers at
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