1. Striving to Become Psychologically Literate Consumers: Understanding Science versus Pseudoscience Steve Charlton Douglas College Kwantlen Polytechnic University

2. SOME AREAS THAT MIGHT BE CONSIDERED PSEUDOSCIENCE Witchcraft Astrology Homeopathy Magnetic Therapy Touch Therapy Colonic Therapy Learning Styles Alien Abductions Subliminal Tapes Urine Therapy Scientology

4. 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

5. 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

6. Does graduate school make us critical thinkers? Does being smart make someone a critical thinker? Glowing examples of this on television Dr. Oz Dr. Aman Dr. Phil

7. Examples from the clinical literature and practice Colin Ross Dr. Braun and the Satanic Princess Facilitated Communication Scott Lilienfeld: Argues that we need to develop therapies that are both effective and not harmful

8. 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

9. 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

10. Social Issues: Which drugs are dangerous? Does the war on drugs work? Should the government support needle exchange programs?

11. Purpose of the Course Teach students to think more critically about information they are exposed to Teach students to think more critically about complex social issues Allow students to see the importance of research methodology Motivate students through the types of topics you use( eg. Talking to the dead) (speak to the student’s interests)

12. Are silicone breast implants dangerous? Sugar makes children hyperactive? LSD causes flashbacks? Men think about sex every 7 seconds?

13. 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

14. If you die in your dreams, you die! Men are from Mars and Women are from Venus!

15. Organizing the course Sources of knowledge Cognitive/Perceptual limitations History of pseudoscience Characteristics of pseudoscience Types of pseudoscience

16. Sources of knowledge Sources of knowledge Books Friends Parents Television Medical Doctors Magazines Radio Newspaper Internet Journal articles

17. Documentaries

19. Ads

20. Power Bracelets & Q Ray

22. Cognitive and Perceptual Limitations Misperception of Random Events Cluster Illusion Toronto Homicides

23. Should we run from coconuts

24. Fourteen Characteristics of Pseudoscience Fourteen Characteristics of Pseudoscience 1) Outward Appearance of Science 2) Absence of Skeptical Review 3) Reliance on Personal Experience

25. 4) Evasion of Risky Tests 5) Retreats to the Supernatural 6) Holism 7) Tolerance of Inconsistencies

26. 8) Appeals to Authority 9) Promising the Impossible 10) Stagnation 11) Credentials

27. 12) References 13) Correlations, Causation and Third Variables

28. Cognitive, Perceptual and Social Biases Top Down Processing Confirmation Bias Heuristics

29. 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

51. History of Pseudoscience History of Pseudoscience Social Contagion Witchcraft Great Tulip Mania Nuns Koro Disorder

52. War of the Worlds Bad Buildings School Sickness Chemical Sensitivity

53. June bug outbreak Glass armonica Saskatoon berry Tomatoes Tarantism

54. Rumours and Urban Legends Bubonic Plague Chesterfield Cigarettes Microwave & Dog New Orleans-Katrina

56. World War 2 Posters

58. Proctor & Gamble

59. Types of Psychological Treatment Trephining (Trepanning)

60. Phrenology Mesmerism Exorcism

61. Modern examples: Mental Inertia Prolonged Narcosis (sleep therapy) Robert Carol (1935) Focal Infection Theory

62. L obotomies

63. Scam Inventions Dr. Scotts Electric Devices

66. Galvanic Glasses

67. Q Ray Bracelet (http://www.ionic-health.com/)http://www.ionic-health.com/