04:
Pseudo-science and
psychology
PL
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→Chapter
26 U1 AOS 1: What is psychology?
→Activity 1: Popular pseudo-sciences
SA
M
Complete the following table on different pseudo-sciences.
Pseudo-science
Period originated
Main beliefs
Palmistry
Phrenology
Astrology
Numerology
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CH 04: Pseudo-science and psychology 27
→Activity 2: Pseudo-sciences
Name the pseudo-science that is being referred to in each scenario in the table below and tick the group to
which it belongs.
•
Group 1 pseudo-sciences: provide explanations for personality and behavioural traits to predict future
events.
•
Group 2 pseudo-sciences: provide explanations for personality and behavioural traits to diagnose mental
and physical conditions.
•
Group 3 pseudo-sciences: try to provide explanations for physical and psychological phenomena.
Name of pseudo-science
Example: John had his cards read to
determine his future.
Tarot card reading
Susan went to get her
psychological problems resolved
by using an E-meter.
James met a guy on the weekend
who claimed to have seen
spaceships and aliens.
Group 2
Group 3
✓
SA
M
Trish was given a medical
diagnosis from having her irises
examined.
Group 1
PL
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Scenario
Bernard showed his palm to
a woman so she could tell him
about his future.
Anthony saw a show where an
entertainer moved objects with
his mind.
Katia’s personality was assessed
by looking at the lumps and
bumps on her head.
Ryan held crystals to help
him heal.
Tony believes he has been
abducted by aliens.
Tena described a client’s
temperament and character
just by looking at her facial
appearance.
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28 U1 AOS 1: What is psychology?
→Activity 3: Research activity
1
Read the statements below and tick whether you believe or do not believe them. Try to answer each
statement honestly.
Scenario
Believe
Do not believe
Astrology is scientific.
Ghosts are real.
Witches are real.
It is a good idea to knock on wood
to ward off bad luck.
Walking under a ladder will bring
bad luck.
Breaking a mirror will bring
bad luck.
Opening an umbrella indoors will
bring bad luck.
2
PL
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Aliens have visited our planet.
Collate your data with the rest of the class and fill in the table below.
Number that believe
SA
M
Scenario
Male
Female
Percentage of respondents
who believe
Astrology is scientific.
Ghosts are real.
Witches are real.
Aliens have visited our planet.
It is a good idea to knock on wood
to ward off bad luck.
Walking under a ladder will bring
bad luck.
Breaking a mirror will bring bad
luck.
Opening an umbrella indoors will
bring bad luck.
TOTAL RESPONDENTS:
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CH 04: Pseudo-science and psychology 29
Draw a graph of the class results.
4
a Were there gender differences? Explain.
SA
M
PL
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3
b
5
What might have affected your results?
A finding from a recent poll conducted on American adults has revealed their beliefs. Look at the tables on
page 30 and answer the following questions.
a
How do your findings compare with the tables on page 30?
b
What can you conclude about the American public’s perception of pseudo-sciences and/or
superstitions?
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30 U1 AOS 1: What is psychology?
Table 1 Beliefs of American males and females
Table 2 Americans’ beliefs in superstitions
Belief
Total (%)
Males (%)
Females (%)
Superstition
% Total
Astrology
25
19
30
Walking under a ladder
12
UFOs
34
38
31
Breaking a mirror
11
Witches
28
30
27
Black cats crossing paths
13
Ghosts
40
33
46
Number 13
9
Knocking on wood
25
→Activity 4: Barnum effect
Rese arch s tudy one
PL
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Using your textbook and the articles below, answer the questions opposite.
horoscope about themselves. All the students
reported that the horoscopes were accurate
descriptions of themselves.
SA
M
C.R. Snyder and R.J. Shenkel conducted a study
of astrology among college students. Each
student received exactly the same loosely worded
Rese arch s tudy t wo
Psychologist Peter Glick conducted a similar
study on students, but he divided the students
into sceptics and believers. Students were
given horoscopes that they believed were
all different. In reality, however, there was
only one positively worded horoscope and
one negatively worded horoscope. Students
reported that the horoscopes were very
accurate when the information was positive.
When given the negative horoscope,
students in the believers group did not have
confidence in it.
Rese arch s tudy three
N.D. Sunberg (1955) conducted a study where
students took the Minnesota Multiphasic
Personality Inventory (MMPI), a personality test.
The results of the test were interpreted and
personality outlines were created. Students were
then provided with two personality outlines—a
04_EDW_OP12_WB2_87654_TXT_UB1.indd 30
real one and a fake one—and were asked to
pick the outline that accurately reflected their
personality. It was found that 59 per cent of
the students reported the fake personality
outline was an accurate description of their
personality.
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CH 04: Pseudo-science and psychology 31
Explain the Barnum effect.
2
Which psychologist first described the Barnum
effect? When?
3
Outline this psychologist’s research and
findings.
SA
M
4
5
Compare these studies to the findings of Forer’s
research.
6
What can be concluded from these research
studies?
PL
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1
Briefly outline the method used in each study.
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32 U1 AOS 1: What is psychology?
→Activity 5: True or false?
Read the statements below and identify whether they are true or false.
All procedures and data collected in psychological research are made available to other researchers so
they can repeat the experiment having the same experimental conditions.
2
Pseudo-sciences are systems and methods that try to explain human behaviour in non-scientific ways.
3
Palmistry is a true science, not a pseudo-science.
4
A sign of a pseudo-science is that it is not open to having its claims tested by experts using conventional
scientific methods.
5
Scientology is not a pseudo-science.
6
Pseudo-sciences only select and use the facts that support their beliefs.
7
Palmists do not think the shape of the hand has anything to do with palmistry.
8
There is no scientific evidence that verifies pseudo-sciences, yet still they remain popular.
9
Personality descriptions and predictions about the future are usually vague and generalised.
PL
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1
10 A report conducted in 2001 found that 80 per cent of people believe in astrology.
SA
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11 The Barnum effect was named after an American showman and circus owner.
12 Today, phrenology is a legitimate science.
13 A psychograph measures brainwave activities.
14 Astrology is based on the idea that the planets, space and NASA all have an effect on an individual’s
personality.
15 Numerology determines a person’s personality and predicts their future by using their name and date of
birth.
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CH 04: Pseudo-science and psychology 33
→Activity 6: OPinions of pseudo-sciences
Look at the cartoon and the diagram. In each case,
what opinion seems to be expressed about pseudosciences?
The Pseudo-scientific Method
Develop hang-up
(emotional, religious
or intellectual)
Rephrase
hang-up as
pseudo-scientific
theory
yes
PL
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Can you find
supporting
evidence?
Create
justification
Publish
no
Horoscopes have made me very wealthy—I write them!
Can you find data
which can be
distorted to seem
supportive?
yes
Distort data
SA
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no
04_EDW_OP12_WB2_87654_TXT_UB1.indd 33
Can you design an
experiment which
appears to test the
hang-up?
yes
no
Does the experiment
‘prove’ hypothesis of
hang-up?
no
Create a
strawman
argument to
refute findings
yes
Press conference
Repeat
experiment
with poorer
precision
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34 U1 AOS 1: What is psychology?
→Activity 7: Multiple-choice questions
3
4
a
Ivan Pavlov
b
Science fiction writer L. Ron Hubbard
c
Greek philosophers
d
Charles Darwin
Astrology is not considered a science because:
a
It does not use an E-meter.
b
It cannot verify its claims of aliens inhabiting
the earth.
c
It cannot verify its predictions and claims
using scientific methods.
d
It focuses on the study of planets, not people.
Pseudo-science is often called:
a
a true science
b
a true study of humankind
c
a fake or false science
d
none of the above
8
Palmistry involves a close examination of:
a
5
7
Phrenology uses a
to measure the lumps and bumps on the
.
a
EEG; brain
b
psychograph; head
c
number; head
d
E-meter; brain
Numerologists believe that your date of birth can
indicate your character and your:
a
faith
b
destiny
c
needs
d
past
PL
E
2
6
Scientology was developed by:
SA
M
1
the lines on the palms and the shapes of the
hand
According to psychologists, doctors and other
scientists, pseudo-science is dangerous because:
a
It spreads incorrect information based on
flawed theories.
b
It spreads theories and myths about science.
c
It uses medical procedures to make
predictions.
d
It relies heavily on scientific journals.
b
the eye’s iris
c
a person’s date of birth
Scientology’s rejection of psychology and
psychiatry is dangerous because:
d
a person’s pressure points
a
It refuses to use a dianetic technique.
b
It attempts to discover aliens.
c
It refuses to allow patients to use
conventional or necessary medication for
disorders.
d
It prescribes medication to all people.
Franz Joseph Gall developed phrenology and
believed that personality was controlled by
27 different
, which
were located on the
of the brain.
a
finger gestures; tip
b
nerve endings; inside
c
alien beings; centre
d
brain organs; surface
04_EDW_OP12_WB2_87654_TXT_UB1.indd 34
9
10 In scientology, an E-meter is used to get rid of:
a
all aliens
b
the reactive mind
c
all positive memories
d
all thoughts
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