The Psychology and Science of Pseudoscience

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