People Who Fall for Pseudoscience Use Less Evidence to Reach Conclusions

Summary

In this Dec 21 article, Ross Pomeroy from Real Clear Science makes the following points about ‘pseudoscience’:

• Strong belief in the paranormal is linked to a reduced tendency to examine the evidence.
• Pseudoscience is defined as products, practices and beliefs that claim to be based on verifiable scientific research—but in reality, are not.
• Pomeroy notes that the research was based on female university students categorised as Western, Educated, Industrialized, Rich, and Democratic (WEIRD).
• Henrich, a Harvard academic, argues that being WEIRD makes you more analytical.
• Pomeroy notes that the research might still be helpful as it indicates a link between holding paranormal beliefs and an unwillingness to examine evidence that might prove your beliefs wrong.

References

Runway Posts:

• 8 Science-Based Strategies For Critical Thinking | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• 5 Critical Thinking Skills to Use at Work (And How to Improve Them) | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• TED TALKI…This tool will help improve your critical thinking | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)
• Don’t Go Down the Rabbit Hole - Critical thinking, as we’re taught to do it, isn’t helping in the fight against misinformation | The Runway (airforce.gov.au)

Web articles:

• 11 Characteristics of Pseudoscience (thinkingispower.com)
• 2020 Joseph Henrich explores WEIRD societies – Harvard Gazette
• AUG 21 People Who Trust Science Are Less Likely To Fall For Misinformation — Unless It Sounds Sciencey – Research Digest (bps.org.uk)
• DEC 21 Believers in pseudoscience present lower evidential criteria | Scientific Reports (nature.com)
• DEC 21 KBC to common man: Why people fall for pseudoscience, a rationalist explains - The Federal

Source Information

• Article Source:  RealClearScience - Opinion, News, Analysis, Video and Polls
• Media Check: Real Clear Science - Media Bias/Fact Check (mediabiasfactcheck.com)
• Learning Outcomes:  RUNWAY Topics, Learning Outcomes