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Lunar Influence

Statement

Moon picture Many people believe that phases of the moon influence human behavior, particularly that crimes are more likely to be committed during a full moon, and that births are more frequent during a full moon. There are many anecdotes, sometimes from law enforcement and hospital workers, about supposed increases in crime or births at the time of the full moon and these are taken as evidence that the moon influences human behavior.

However, examinations of the record of actual incidence of crime and births during lunar cycles show the contrary, that births and crime are evenly distributed over lunar phases, with no consistent increase when the moon is full. Seasons and weekends influence crimes and births, but the phase of the moon does not. Normal variation results in months in which crime and births increase or decrease during the full moon, the half moon, the new moon, and other moon phases. Law enforcement and health employees are simply more likely to notice increases during at the full moon and to comment on it.

Sources

full moon and lunar effects - Skeptic's Dictionary
George O. Abell, et al. "The Moon and the Maternity Ward." Skeptical Inquirer 3.4 (1979) 17-25.
I.W. Kelly, et al. "The Moon Was Full and Nothing Happened." Skeptical Inquirer 10.2 (1985-86) 129-143.
N. Sanduleak. "The Moon is Acquitted of Murder in Cleveland." Skeptical Inquirer 9.3 (1985) 236-242.
George O. Abell, "Moon Madness." Science and the Paranormal Charles Scribner's Sons, New York, 1981.