Overview

This book provides a comprehensive review of numerous areas of pseudoscience and related pathological science. It not only describes the factual bases for rejecting pseudoscientific claims, but also emphasizes the psychological processes that lead to the acceptance of such claims. This book is timely, given the increase in misinformation over the past decade. Using three principles of cognitive psychology, this book helps explain why people are hard-wired to accept and continue to believe in pseudoscientific claims. It provides up-to-date discussions of numerous paranormal and pseudoscientific topics, including the usual suspects—UFOs and alien abductions, astrology, cryptozoology, and more—but also belief in conspiracy theories, laboratory parapsychology, bogus forensic science techniques, the pseudopsychologies of Freud, medical fraud, and the unethical practices of Big Pharma. Older research that was foundational in the critical examination of several topics is woven throughout to situate them in a historical context.

Full Product Details

Author:   Terence Hines
Publisher:   Bloomsbury Publishing Plc
Imprint:   Rowman & Littlefield Publishers
Weight:   0.826kg
ISBN:  

9781538194652

ISBN 10:   1538194651
Pages:   434
Publication Date:   12 March 2025
Audience:   General/trade ,  General
Format:   Hardback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

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

Reviews

Terence Hines is one of the world's foremost authorities on the science of pseudoscience. He's also a hero of mine. Like his engaging contributions to Skeptical Inquirer magazine, I learned so much from this book, and I believe all readers will benefit from thinking about what's believable (and what's unbelievable) using key principles of cognitive psychology. From historical hogwash to modern malarkey, Hines superbly helps sifts through the silliness toward a better understanding of the human mind.-- ""Stephen Hupp, Editor, Skeptical Inquirer: The Magazine for Science and Reason""

Author Information

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.

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