Fred West trick 'proves power of irrational fear'

An experimental psychologist is using a cardigan purported to have been worn by murderer Fred West to argue that scientists' efforts to combat "irrational" beliefs are ultimately futile.

In his lectures Bruce Hood at Bristol University invites people in his audience to put on a blue cardigan for a £10 reward. There is invariably a sea of raised hands until he tells the audience that Fred West wore the cardigan. He later discloses that the cardigan is not West's - but says his illustration shows that even the most rational people are made uncomfortable by superstition or connotations of evil.

If you don't know who Fred West was, you can find out here.