The Psychology and Science of Pseudoscience

Auteur

Terence Hines has been professor of Psychology at Pace University since 1981 and is adjunct professor of Neurology at New York Medical College. After graduate school he had a one-year post-doctorate position at the Boston Veteran's Administration studying the cognitive effects of normal aging. Following that he moved to the Neurology Department of the Cornell University Medical School for two years, doing research on split brain individuals and Parkinson's disease. His major research interests include bilingual memory, representation of number in memory, and the causes of belief in things paranormal.

Texte du rabat

Excellent up-to-date book about pseudoscience and science denial, with an in-depth look at how human psychology promotes these problems. An engaging and comprehensive critical review of a wide range of pseudoscientific topics which explores the underlying psychological factors behind paranormal and related beliefs.

Contenu

Preface

Chapter 1: The Nature of Pseudoscience

The Paranormal

Pathological Science: N Rays, Polywater, and Cold Fusion

Conspiracy Theories

Why Study Pseudoscientific Claims?

Chapter 2: Psychics and Psychic Phenomena

Spiritualism

Psychic Readings

Psychic Predictions of the Future

Psychic Crime Detection

Prophetic Dreams and Hunches

Chapter 3: Life after Death

Ghosts

Poltergeist

Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences

Reincarnation

Vampires and Zombies

Chapter 4: Laboratory Parapsychology

The Nature of the Evidence

Early Research: J. B. Rhine and S. C. Soal

The Uri Geller Episode

Remote Viewing

Ganzfeld Studies

Random Events and Reaction Time Studies

Bem's Studies

Neuroimaging Studies

Psi Theory

Belief in Psi

Chapter 5: Pseudopsychologies

Freudian Theory

The Psychology of Jung

Humanistic Psychology

Chapter 6: Astrology and the Lunar Effect

Astrology and Astronomy

Testing Astrological Predictions

Moon Madness

Chapter 7: UFOs I: Close Encounters of the First Kind

The Constructive Nature of Human Perception

Close Encounters of the First Kind

Chapter 8: UFOS II: Photographs, Physical, Evidence, and Abductions

Photographic Evidence

Physical Evidence

The Tunguska Event

Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Alien Abductions

The End of the World, the Hollow Earth, and Cattle Mutilation

The Great UFO Cover-Up

Chapter 9: Ancient Astronauts and the Bermuda Triangle

Ancient Astronauts

Pyramid Power, Pyraminds, and Mummies

Von Däniken in Peru

The Bermuda Triangle

Chapter 10: Faith Healing

Faith Healers' Techniques

Psychic Surgery

The Dangers of Faith Healing

The Role of Shrines

Chapter 11: Alternative Medicine

Homeopathy

Energy Medicine: Therapeutic Touch, Reiki, and Aura Reading

Naturopathy

Herbal Remedies, Vitamins, and Supplements

Other Alternative Treatments

Chiropractic

Big Pharma

Chapter 12: Mass Hysteria, Sick Buildings, and Environmental Health Scares

Asbestos

Microwaves and Electromagnetic Fields

Electromagnetic and Chemical Hypersensitivity

Roundup - Glyphosate

Chemical Phobia

Silicone Breast Implants and Connective Tissue Disease

Chapter 13: Special Topics in Pseudoscience

Brain Pseudoscience

Autism and Vaccines

Creationism and Intelligent Design

Criminal Profiling and Other Forensic Junk Sciences

Cryptozoology

Dowsing and the Magic Pendulum

Firewalking

Polygraphy and Lie Detection

The Shroud of Turin

References

Index

About the Author