Pseudoscience Examples

In short, pseudoscience may be called false science. The term is used to describe something that may be reported or recorded as a product or real science, but actually there is no connection to proper scientific methodology and cannot be proven realistically. Evidence may be produced to support something, but it is not empirical evidence, which is evidence collected by observation and experimentation.

True science uses a particular methodology to conduct research. It is based on fundamental principles, widely accepted theories, and the research can be replicated, which can back up a scientists work. Pseudoscience lacks these important elements and is usually based on misunderstandings of scientific principles and theories that cannot be verified.

Often, television dramas and plots are based on pseudoscience. The various stories in shows may be rooted in real scientific principles and use the correct language, it is usually understood they are not actual representations of scientific possibility, and instead considered pseudoscience. There are many, many examples of pseudoscience related to the Earth, paranormal, psychology, and other areas.

1. Ancient Astronauts and Crop Circles

Aliens may have visited the Earth and influenced civilization or created the crop circles, even though there is no empirical evidence existing. It is based on unproven evidence and myths and other unlikely theories.

2. Moon Landing Conspiracy or the Flat Earth

Pseudoscience is used to try and prove that the original moon landing did not happen or that the Earth is flat and disc-shaped. Some people repeat these beliefs which only causes the false theories to live on.

3. Astrology

A common belief in society today that says the alignment of the celestial bodies have some effect on the behavior or future of a person's life. The opposite, in fact, has been proven with real science that the alignment of celestial bodies has no effect on how people act or on their future.

4. Polygraphs and Hypnosis

A lie detector test or a polygraph is considered to be pseudoscience because it cannot prove a lie or truth. This is in the same category as hypnosis, both used in the field of psychology.

5. ESP (Extra Sensory Perception)

Using methods to gain information like clairvoyance, telepathy, and remote viewing.

6. Conversion Therapy

This is an attempt to change a person's sexual preference from homosexual to heterosexual.