PSYC 102: Scientism, Scientific Method, and Pseudoscience

evidence can only be obtained through observation

to claim something is "scientifically incorrect" is to portray _____

a systematic approach to retrieving evidence through empiricism

a systematic method of examining a scientific theory by testing hypotheses

an explanation based on large number of tested hypotheses

testable predictions based upon a scientific theory

claims that appear to be scientific, but are not based on the scientific method

believing something will have a positive effect will make it have a positive effect

believing something will have a negative effect will make it have a negative effect

SM: can alternate explanations fit the claim better

SM: describes the strength of an association between two variables, correlation does not equal causation

SM: can the claim be proven false? if not, then it is observable thus it is not scientific

SM: can the evidence be reproduced

SM: extraordinary claim, extraordinary evidence

SM: can a simpler explanation fit just as well

PS: pseudoscience claims tend to exaggerate

PS rely on one specific example to make their point (there is likely other reasons why the anecdote proves the point)

PS: pseudoscientific claims tend to indicate that science supports them but fails to cite their source

PS: pseudoscientific claims tend to indicate that science supports them but does not share ther evidence with other scientists

PS: pseudoscientific claims will not correct themselves when presented with opposing evidence (create alternative explanations to why their product or theory doesn't work)

PS: loophole that prevents the falsification of a theory

PS: pseudoscientific claims sometimes use big fancy sounding words. that are fake or used inappropriately

PS: pseudoscientific claims indicate that they "proved" something happens rather than "suggests"