Pseudoscience and Clinical Psychology

[Page 2700]Pseudosciences are disciplines that possess the superficial trappings of science but that largely lack its substance. Pseudosciences are best regarded as fake sciences, not false sciences. This distinction is critical, because many scientific claims turn out to be incorrect or in need of revision. Peudoscientific assertions are almost always wrong, however; in addition, they tend to be more pernicious than other erroneous claims because they are not merely fallacious but superficially persuasive as well. Most purveyors of pseudoscience are not conscious hoaxsters (although a few probably are); instead, most are probably unwitting victims of self-delusion who have fallen prey to the seductive lure of specious assertions.

This entry discusses the definitions of science, pseudoscience, and clinical practice; the indicators of pseudoscience; the dangers of pseudoscience ...