Spring Break
Animals may be affected by full moon, study says
Margaret Canty
Issue date: 7/25/07 Section: News
Erick Egger, a veterinarian at the vet hospital, said he believes the study is legitimate and the numbers accurate. Increased visibility during the full moon, Egger said, is most likely to blame for the increased visits.
Similar studies done on humans have produced mixed results. Wells said a study done in England found lunar activity to also have an effect on humans, while a comparable study done in Australia found no connection.
Professor Ernest L. Chavez, chair of the department of psychology, says humans are likely to be less effected by lunar cycles.
"Because there is no data found to support the idea that humans are likely to be affected by the full moon, it could be that our over-developed brains think things through more thoroughly," he said. "Therefore the moon doesn't have the same impact, and we're able to counteract biology."
But the belief that the moon has a powerful affect is far from dead. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, a study done in 2005 found 50 percent of university students believed people act strangely during a full moon - along with 81 percent of mental health professors.
Chavez said that because many hold superstitions about the full moon, they may look for things to go wrong to prove themselves right.
"When our expectation is that something is likely to happen, we'll find information that proves what we believe is true," he said. "It's called confirmation bias."
Until the copycats come out, it will be difficult to gauge exactly how universal Wells' really are.
But with a full moon coming later this week, pet owners may want to keep the vet on speed dial. Just in case.
Staff writer Margaret Canty can be reached at news@collegian.com.
Similar studies done on humans have produced mixed results. Wells said a study done in England found lunar activity to also have an effect on humans, while a comparable study done in Australia found no connection.
Professor Ernest L. Chavez, chair of the department of psychology, says humans are likely to be less effected by lunar cycles.
"Because there is no data found to support the idea that humans are likely to be affected by the full moon, it could be that our over-developed brains think things through more thoroughly," he said. "Therefore the moon doesn't have the same impact, and we're able to counteract biology."
But the belief that the moon has a powerful affect is far from dead. According to the Canadian Medical Association Journal, a study done in 2005 found 50 percent of university students believed people act strangely during a full moon - along with 81 percent of mental health professors.
Chavez said that because many hold superstitions about the full moon, they may look for things to go wrong to prove themselves right.
"When our expectation is that something is likely to happen, we'll find information that proves what we believe is true," he said. "It's called confirmation bias."
Until the copycats come out, it will be difficult to gauge exactly how universal Wells' really are.
But with a full moon coming later this week, pet owners may want to keep the vet on speed dial. Just in case.
Staff writer Margaret Canty can be reached at news@collegian.com.
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