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Striving to Become Psychologically Literate Consumers: Understanding Science versus Pseudoscience
Steve Charlton Douglas College Kwantlen Polytechnic University
SOME AREAS THAT MIGHT BE SOME AREAS THAT MIGHT BE CONSIDERED PSEUDOSCIENCECONSIDERED PSEUDOSCIENCE
Witchcraft AstrologyHomeopathy Magnetic TherapyTouch Therapy Colonic TherapyLearning Styles Alien AbductionsSubliminal Tapes Urine TherapyScientology
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70
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Deja Vu
ESP
Psychic healing
Telepathy
Haunted houses
ETs
Clairvoyance
Astrology
Ghosts
BelieveNot SureDon't Believe
Percent
In a recent study of approximately 10,000 undergraduate students beliefs in pseudoscience (Sugarman et al 2011)
78 percent stated that astrology was “very” or “sort of” scientific
48 percent of the science major students stated that astrology has at least some scientific base
When we research or discuss concepts such as psychological literacy, critical thinking or beliefs in pseudoscience we are often referring to the undergraduate population
Most courses on critical thinking or pseudoscience are designed for undergraduate students
Does graduate school make us critical thinkers?
Does being smart make someone a critical thinker?
Glowing examples of this on televisionDr. OzDr. AmanDr. Phil
Examples from the clinical literature and practice
Colin RossDr. Braun and the Satanic PrincessFacilitated CommunicationScott Lilienfeld: Argues that we need to
develop therapies that are both effective and not harmful
Gerd Gigerenzer ◦Statistical and numerical literacy◦Medical Doctors, Politicians and Journalists
Politicians◦Prince Charles and the Foundation for Integrated Health
◦David Tredinnick and integration of horoscopes with health care
Although many of my examples have been clinical, critical thinking and the ability to distinguish science from pseudoscience applies to many areas
Health Psychology: Homeopathy Vaccinations and Autism Therapeutic touch Herbs
Social Issues: Which drugs are dangerous? Does the war on drugs work? Should the government support needle exchange programs?
Purpose of the Course Teach students to think more critically about
information they are exposed toTeach students to think more critically about
complex social issuesAllow students to see the importance of
research methodologyMotivate students through the types of
topics you use( eg. Talking to the dead) (speak to the student’s interests)
Are silicone breast implants dangerous?
Sugar makes children hyperactive?
LSD causes flashbacks?
Men think about sex every 7 seconds?
Should we drink 8 glasses of water per day?
Reading in low light causes damage to the eyes
Vaccinations cause Autism
We only use 10 percent of our brains
If you die in your dreams, you die!
Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus!
Organizing the course Sources of knowledge
Cognitive/Perceptual limitations
History of pseudoscience
Characteristics of pseudoscience
Types of pseudoscience
Sources of knowledgeSources of knowledgeBooks
Friends Parents
Television
Medical Doctors
Magazines
Radio
Newspaper
Internet
Journal articles
Documentaries
Ads
Power Bracelets & Q Ray
Cognitive and Perceptual Cognitive and Perceptual LimitationsLimitations
Misperception of Random Events
Cluster Illusion
Toronto Homicides
Should we run from coconuts
Fourteen Characteristics of Fourteen Characteristics of PseudosciencePseudoscience
1) Outward Appearance of Science
2) Absence of Skeptical Review 3) Reliance on Personal Experience
4) Evasion of Risky Tests
5) Retreats to the Supernatural 6) Holism 7) Tolerance of Inconsistencies
8) Appeals to Authority 9) Promising the Impossible 10) Stagnation
11) Credentials
12) References
13) Correlations, Causation and Third Variables
Cognitive, Perceptual and Social Biases
Top Down Processing
Confirmation Bias
Heuristics
Potential Exercises Use a large list of potential areas of pseudoscience and have students indicate their beliefs Then have your students write an an essay or engage in a debate where they have to argue against their belief
History of PseudoscienceHistory of Pseudoscience
Social Contagion Witchcraft Great Tulip Mania Nuns
Koro Disorder
June bug outbreak
Glass armonica
Saskatoon berry
Tomatoes
Tarantism
Rumours and Urban Legends Bubonic Plague
Chesterfield Cigarettes
Microwave & Dog
New Orleans-Katrina
World War 2 Posters
Proctor & Gamble
Types of Psychological Treatment Trephining (Trepanning)
Phrenology
Mesmerism
Exorcism
Modern examples:
Mental Inertia Prolonged Narcosis (sleep therapy)
Robert Carol (1935)
Focal Infection Theory
Lobotomies
Scam Inventions Dr. Scotts Electric Devices
Galvanic Glasses
Q Ray Bracelet (http://www.ionic-health.com/)