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English Plus Podcast

Urban Legends 1 | The Lure of the Legend: Why Our Brains Believe Urban Legends

18 Aug 2025

Description

Have you ever heard a story from a "friend of a friend" that was too creepy or weird to be true, yet you still felt a shiver of belief? In the first episode of Into the World of Urban Legends, we explore the powerful psychology behind why these modern myths stick in our minds. Join us as we dive into: Cognitive Biases: Discover how mental shortcuts like the availability heuristic and confirmation bias prime our brains to accept fiction as fact. The Power of Emotion: Learn why stories that tap into our deepest fears and sense of disgust are far more memorable and shareable than dry facts. The Social Function of Legends: Uncover how these tales act as modern-day cautionary fables, helping us build communities, enforce social norms, and make sense of a chaotic world. This episode isn't just about spooky stories; it's a journey into the architecture of belief itself. To unlock full access to all our episodes, consider becoming a premium subscriber on Apple Podcasts or Patreon. And don’t forget to visit englishpluspodcast.com for even more content, including articles, in-depth studies, and our brand-new audio series and courses now available in our Patreon Shop!

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