Year: 1973
Type: dissertation
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Two hypotheses which might explain the basis for belief in a lunar influence on human behavior are reviewed. One relates to lunar gravitational pull, the other to human expectations. Both predict that birth and emotional disturbance increase at full moon. Four studies were conducted to test the notion of a lunar influence on behavior. In study one, nurses' belief in the effects of the moon on patient behavior were confirmed. Factor analysis revealed three underlying dimensions of nurses' beliefs which were named cosmic, sociogenic, and biogenic. In study two, examination of multiple parameters both on the first day of each phase and when full phase periods were examined, indicated that a full moon effect was found only once and did not replicate. Idhen data on emotional disturbance were plotted by days in the lunar cycle, two peak periods were revealed--before full moon and at last quarter. The largest peak occurred 24-48 hours before full moon. Analysis of variance of these data indicated a significant effect for lunar cycles but not for days in the cycle. Examination of individual lunar synodic cycles indicated this pre-full moon peak did not replicate over individual lunar synodic cycles. When days of greatest and least lunar gravitational force in the anomalistic cycle (perigee-apogee) were examined, emotional disturbance was found to be negatively related to gravitational force. When days of greatest and least lunar gravitational force in the lunar synodic cycle (new moon, full moon vs. f i r s t q u a r t e r , l a s t q u a r t e r ) were a n a l y s e d no d i f f e r e n c e was found . I n s t u d i e s t h r e e and f o u r , t h e e f f e c t of n u r s e s ' e x p e c t a t i o n s on r a t i n g s o f p a t i e n t b e h a v i o r a t f u l l moon were e x m i n e d . No e x p e c t a n c y e f f e c t s were found . I t would a p p e a r t h a t on o c c a s i o n peak p r i o d s o f men ta l d i s t u r b a n c e c a n be i d e n t i f i e d r e l a t i v e t o t h e f u l l moon phase . S i n c e t h e s e e f f e c t s are n o t r e l a t e d t o l u n a r g r a v i t a t i o n a l f o r c e o r t o human expec t a t i o n s and t h e y do n o t a p p e a r t o be c o n s i s t e n t , t h e c o n c l u s i o n i s t h a t t h e y are n o t r e l a t e d t o t h e l u n a r c y c l e b u t t o some o t h e r phenomenon n o t a t p r e s e n t i d e n t i f i a b l e .
Source: Summit (Simon Fraser University)
Author: Monica Diane Angus
Language: English
Subfield: Social Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W9456260