Science vs. Pseudoscience Unit 1: Nature of Science

Pseudoscience Benchmarks: Use multiple sources of information to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of claims arguments, or data. Use multiple sources of information to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of claims arguments, or data. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, and data. Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of claims, arguments, and data. Identify the need for evidence in making scientific decisions. Identify the need for evidence in making scientific decisions. Evaluate scientific concepts through various illustrations performances, models, and activities. Evaluate scientific concepts through various illustrations performances, models, and activities.

What is Pseudoscience? The word “pseudo” means false. Pseudoscience directly translated means “false science” Basically it is a study or claim that is not backed with any hard data or facts. Other names for pseudoscience include: Fringe Science Fringe Science Junk Science Junk Science Hoax Science Hoax Science Bad Science Bad Science

Examples of Pseudoscience Astrology Astrology Crop circles Crop circles 2012 Apocalypse 2012 Apocalypse Phrenology Phrenology ESP ESP Alien encounters Alien encounters Hypnosis Hypnosis And many, many more!

Science vs. Pseudoscience SciencePseudoscience Its goal is to achieve a more complete understanding of the physical world. Its goal is more likely to be driven by personal or private gains (profit or fame). There is research to back up their claims. Constantly looking to expand knowledge of the subject. Little evidence to support their ideas and the research that is carried out tries only to prove they are right. Explanations must be stated in clear, unambiguous terms. Pseudoscientific explanations tend to be vague and ambiguous.

Science or Pseudoscience? The Ivory soap ad states... “The soap so pure it floats!” Ivory soap floats because of trapped air bubbles in the soap, NOT because it is 99.4% pure soap. However, the idea of soap floating because it is “pure” made people buy more Ivory soap.