INQ-110 | Psychology of Belief

Full Title: Psychology, Belief, and Pseudoscience

Topic Description:

How does our experience shape our beliefs? How do we know if our beliefs are valid? While much of the information we are exposed to is valid and useful, it also includes a wide range of extraordinary or manipulative claims that are not supported by evidence or critical assessment. “Pseudoscience” is one term used to describe claims that may appear to be scientific, but fail to meet the rigorous standards science demands. It includes topics related to so-called paranormal phenomena such as ESP, astrology, and the supernatural. In this course we will critically examine pseudoscientific assertions and also look at how humans develop more general belief systems ranging from creating a philosophy of life to a political ideology—all from the perspective of scientific psychology. Using this perspective, our inquiry will look at how the processes of perception, memory, and thinking contribute to our beliefs about reality.

Counts as Global? No

Topic Approved: April 2013