Download Science vs. Pseudoscience What is Pseudoscience?

Science vs.
Pseudoscience
What is Pseudoscience?
The word “pseudo” means false.
Pseudoscience directly translated means
 Fringe Science
“false science”
 Junk Science
 Hoax Science
Basically it is a study or claim
that is not backed with any hard  Bad Science
data or facts. It its a term used to
describe something that is reported to
be a product of science but in reality it
has no connection to proper scientific
methodology and cannot be
realistically proven
Examples of Pseudoscience
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Astrology
Crop circles
2012 Apocalypse
Phrenology
ESP
Alien encounters
Hypnosis
And many, many more!
Phrenology
Astrology
• the practice of studying
planets and star patterns with
the belief that they have a
powerful influence on
behavior and future outcomes.
Science vs. Pseudoscience
Science
Pseudoscience
Its goal is to achieve a more
Its goal is more likely to be driven
complete understanding of the by personal or private gains (profit
physical world.
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?
Ivory soap floats
The
Ivory
soap ad
because
of trapped
air
bubbles .in. the
states
. soap, NOT
because it is 99.4% pure
soap.
“The soap so pure
However, the idea of soap
it floats!”
floating because it is
“pure” made people buy
more Ivory soap.
Testing the Validity of Astrology
• Brainstorm: What are the
personality characteristics
of a President: