18 - Sunday, July 7, 1985 - Nazth Shore News Moon's influence on FOR THOUSANDS of years, people have believed that the moon possesses the power to influence human behavior. Most often the belief has been that the moon induces epileptic fits, though lunar cycles have also been used to explain sexual passion, bad dreams and hallucinations. Today, many people still hold onto this old notion, despite numerous scientific studies which show there is no association between funar cycles and human action. Dr. Michael Coles, a psychologist at Simon Fraser University, says: ‘If you speak to the staff on any of the local obstetrics wards, you will find nurses who firmly believe that there are more births at the time of the full moon, as though the moon pulls on the amniotic fluid in the same way it pulls on the oceans to create tides. There are also psychiatric professionals who will tell you that there are more unusual occurrences and in- cidents of ‘crazy’ behavior around the time of the full moon.”’ So why do people persist in this belief? For one thing, people tend to forget that the phases of the moon roughly coincide with the four weeks of cach month, Dr. Coles says. “When we look at ab- normal behaviour, what we could be seeing is the result of a weekly cycle, not a lunar cycle -- and any police officer will tell you that Fri- day and Saturday nights are always the busiest,"" he says. In cases where the full moon coincides with a week-end, people may incor- rectly connect the rise in crime with the full moon, he adds. Dr. Coles says people also tend to selectively pay atten- tion co information that fits their beliefs. ‘If we see or hear of something unusual at the time of the full moon, ited. "Good frntil duty 20, 198: fo polish necessary” «Nat acrylic, wo: ‘Will not- harm your: large. selectiofv.o , Leave message on Essential for Travellers Pager 680-6338 6 ways to drive a thief crazy poly/cotton light weight breathable washable N. Park Royal 922-9650 WAIST SAFE DOUBLE for cash & pass: forts, 2 pochets, elasbc strat © LEG SAFE isshie Siraus wilh veictn “holds wassnort 2 pockets WAIST SAFE SINGLE 2 pocnets, elastic strap, holds oasspurt Richmond Centre 276-2606 this will confirm our belief in lunacy. If we see or hear of something occurring at some other time, it is unlike. ly that we will associate it with our belief. Consequent- ly, we place ourselves in the position of ulways being able to confirm our beliefs and never being able to refute them,”" he says. Finally, human beings are very suggestible; we act in a lya myth certain way because it is ex- pected of us, Dr. Coles says. Simply by expecting other people to act strangely dur- ing certain phases of the moon, We actually encourage such behaviour. Drive Cool this ‘Summer COOLING SYSTEM FLUSH The NOR EST MICRO FLUSH cleaning svsiem is the only sale and sure way {0 thoroughly clean your car's cooling sysiem Flushing with plain water will on: ly remove old coolant and toose particles of rust and scale. Our six-point RAD FLUSH SPECIAL will help prevent overheating problems during your summer AIR CONDITIONER CHECK-UP Our 12-point service check of your car's air conditioner is a complete inspection of the en- tire system including a discharge and evacuation to remove any built up moisture and recharging as required. $aq% PLUS FREON driving *338*° PLUS PARTS mM AND CHEMICALS JOHN LOCKWOOD Fast Drive-In Service Since 1952, BCAA Approved OR EST RADIA TOR * Radiators « Waterpumps ¢ Heaters ¢ Air Conditioners * Gas Tanks Jimmy Trims is now offering (for a short time only) 2 months of unlimited suntanning packages. Now you can come in and tan as offen as you want! 2 months for an unbeatable Open 7 Days a week Mon.-Fri. 9-9 Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5 Family Hair Care Centres 1268 Marine Dr. North Vancouver 985-1816 Satisfaction Guaranted or money refunded