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Excellent up-to-date book about pseudoscience and science denial, with an in-depth look at how human psychology promotes these problems. An engaging and comprehensive critical review of a wide range of pseudoscientific topics which explores the underlying psychological factors behind paranormal and related beliefs.
List of contents
PrefaceChapter 1: The Nature of PseudoscienceThe Paranormal
Pathological Science: N Rays, Polywater, and Cold Fusion
Conspiracy Theories
Why Study Pseudoscientific Claims?
Chapter 2: Psychics and Psychic PhenomenaSpiritualism
Psychic Readings
Psychic Predictions of the Future
Psychic Crime Detection
Prophetic Dreams and Hunches
Chapter 3: Life after DeathGhosts
Poltergeist
Near-Death and Out-of-Body Experiences
Reincarnation
Vampires and Zombies
Chapter 4: Laboratory ParapsychologyThe 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: PseudopsychologiesFreudian Theory
The Psychology of Jung
Humanistic Psychology
Chapter 6: Astrology and the Lunar EffectAstrology and Astronomy
Testing Astrological Predictions
Moon Madness
Chapter 7: UFOs I: Close Encounters of the First KindThe Constructive Nature of Human Perception
Close Encounters of the First Kind
Chapter 8: UFOS II: Photographs, Physical, Evidence, and AbductionsPhotographic 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 TriangleAncient Astronauts
Pyramid Power, Pyraminds, and Mummies
Von Däniken in Peru
The Bermuda Triangle
Chapter 10: Faith HealingFaith Healers' Techniques
Psychic Surgery
The Dangers of Faith Healing
The Role of Shrines
Chapter 11: Alternative MedicineHomeopathy
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 ScaresAsbestos
Microwaves and Electromagnetic Fields
Electromagnetic and Chemical Hypersensitivity
Roundup - Glyphosate
Chemical Phobia
Silicone Breast Implants and Connective Tissue Disease
Chapter 13: Special Topics in PseudoscienceBrain 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
ReferencesIndexAbout the Author
About the author
Terence Hines has been professor of Psychology at Pace University since 1981 and is adjunct professor of Neurology at New York Medical College. After graduate school he had a one-year post-doctorate position at the Boston Veteran's Administration studying the cognitive effects of normal aging. Following that he moved to the Neurology Department of the Cornell University Medical School for two years, doing research on split brain individuals and Parkinson's disease. His major research interests include bilingual memory, representation of number in memory, and the causes of belief in things paranormal.
