But most are symptoms of what psychologists call the belief in the "law of small numbers."

The Swedish study may also call into question the belief among Americans and their surgeons that the best way to treat prostate cancer, like any other malignancy, is by routing it out as quickly and completely as possible.

Recent studies also call into question the belief that mother's milk, which has more cholesterol than infant formula, somehow primes the baby's cells to process cholesterol more efficiently.

Dr Armstrong Davison, captivated by the legend like so many others, began on the prosecution side, convinced by what he called the 'orthodox belief that Mary was a wanton and a murderess'.

We'll call this the build-a-better-mousetrap belief.

The Egyptian World view reflects what Mary Floyd-Wilson has called geo-humoralism, or the belief that climate and other environmental factors shapes racial character.

Some health care researchers who are studying obesity and diabetes among Hispanics talk about an undercurrent called fatalismo - the belief that there's little you can do to alter your own destiny, so why not live for today?

In addition, the study included examination of cases in which there were no symptoms, calling into question the common belief that asymptomatic people cannot transmit the disease.

And that calls into question the belief, widespread on Wall Street, that the public demand for stocks and stock mutual funds will be enough to keep prices rising, despite any head winds.

The Atlantic Monthly (1860), called the belief that the United States was the first to refuse tribute to the Barbary pirates a "patriotic delusion".