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Charlatans in Lab Coats: How Scientific Communication Can Unmask Pseudoscience
Lindem, Vicki Marie
Braje, ToddBekins, Linn
2014-04-09
Thesis
x, 93 pages
My thesis presents three popular claims that appear scientific but are in fact instances of pseudoscience. Through traditional sociological concepts of fear culture and moral panic theory, I explore why people are prone to believing pseudoscientific claims despite evidence of their inaccuracies. My thesis also presents a new model for debunking pseudoscientific claims by building off established methods in skepticism and scientific communication. To emphasize the differences between pseudoscience and real science, I explore interactions between pseudoscientific promoters, scientists, the general public, and various forms of media. Finally, I suggest ways that we can further improve scientific communication to prevent its harmful effects on science and society as a whole.
Includes bibliographical references (pages 86-93).
English
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Arts and Letters
Master of Arts (M.A.) San Diego State University, 2014
AZ2.2
http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11929/sdsu:2922