Hauntings, homeopathy, and the Hopkinsville Goblins: using pseudoscience to teach scientific thinking

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Author
Schmaltz, R; Lilienfeld, SODate
2014-04-17Source Title
Frontiers in PsychologyPublisher
FRONTIERS MEDIA SAUniversity of Melbourne Author/s
Lilienfeld, ScottAffiliation
Melbourne School of Psychological SciencesMetadata
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Journal ArticleCitations
Schmaltz, R. & Lilienfeld, S. O. (2014). Hauntings, homeopathy, and the Hopkinsville Goblins: using pseudoscience to teach scientific thinking. FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY, 5 (APR), https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2014.00336.Access Status
Open AccessAbstract
With access to information ever increasing, it is essential that students acquire the skills to distinguish fact from fiction. By incorporating examples of pseudoscience into lectures, instructors can provide students with the tools needed to understand the difference between scientific and pseudoscientific or paranormal claims. We discuss examples involving psychics, ghosts, aliens, and other phenomena in relation to scientific thinking. In light of research literature demonstrating that presenting and dispelling scientific misconceptions in the classroom is an effective means of countering non-scientific or pseudoscientific beliefs, we provide examples of pseudoscience that can be used to help students acquire healthy skepticism while avoiding cynicism.
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