Psychology of Pseudoscience
There is a distinct difference between having an open mind and having a hole in your head from which your brain leaks out.
"The Amazing" James Randi
About the Course
Are we walking around in a world full of ghosts, goblins, and aliens? In 2009, almost one in five (18%) American adults reported having seen a ghost. Several people have reported—in rich detail!—being abducted by aliens. Stories about creatures like Bigfoot and the Loch Ness Monster continue to captivate our collective attention. But why do people cling so tightly to these beliefs? This course will help us understand the social and cognitive processes behind paranormal and pseudoscientific beliefs. We will also journey through critical thinking and the scientific method to better understand valid, reliable, and reproducible science and thereby better identify pseudoscience.
Within legal psychology, one of my favorite topics is misinformation. Why do people believe misinformation? How do misinformation and disinformation spread? How do people process complex information? These questions are part of why I'm interested in pseudoscience. Another reason why I love teaching pseudoscience is because much of legal and forensic psychology presented in the media is pseudoscientific — things like criminal profiling and polygraph tests!
Who's it for?
The course has no prerequisites. I integrate perspectives from social and cognitive psychology. The course is also an excellent fit for students in pre-nursing, pre-healthcare, and education programs.
Learning Objectives
Identify cognitive biases and logical fallacies that contribute to belief in pseudoscientific claims.
Differentiate between scientific and pseudoscientific (or non-scientific) resources, claims, and activities.
Explain the state of evidence for various pseudoscientific claims, like polygraphs, alternative medicines, controversial mental health diagnoses, and more.
Evaluate science and science communication, including articles that are likely to be bunkum.
Reflect on personal beliefs and experiences.
Discuss the consequences of spreading misinformation, disinformation, and pseudoscience.
Communicate scientific evidence to broad (non-scientific, lay) audiences.
Topics
Zombie Ideas: Science & Pseudoscience
We Can't Trust Our Brains
We Can't Trust Our World
Caveat Emptor: Evaluating Research, Open Science, and Logical Reasoning
Disorder in the Court! Forensic Pseudoscience
We're All Mad Here: Pseudoscience in Mental Health
Just Because We CAM Doesn't Mean We Should: Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Infodemic: A Pandemic of Misinformation
Let's Stare at Goats: Psychics and Psi Phenomena
What If God Was One of Us: Faith Healing, Conspiracies, and Fringe Charismatic Groups (aka Cults)
Social Distancing Champs: Bigfoot, Alien Abductions, UFOs, and Friends
Talk Science 2 Me: Science Communication Skills
