What is the psychology behind magic and why do we find it so fascinating?

The psychology behind magic lies in our brains' tendency to fill in gaps in perception and create patterns where there are none. Magicians take advantage of this by using sleight of hand and other techniques to manipulate our attention and perception. This creates a sense of wonder and fascination in the audience as they try to understand how the magic trick was performed. In addition, our brains are wired to enjoy surprise and novelty, and magic tricks often involve unexpected or impossible outcomes, which can be very entertaining.

Magic also appeals to our sense of control, as we enjoy feeling like we have agency and can make sense of our environment. When a magician performs a trick and we can't figure out how it was done, it can create a feeling of frustration, but also a desire to understand and regain that sense of control. This can lead to increased interest and fascination in magic.