Science, Pseudo-science, Non-sense, and Critical Thinking

Gershon Ben-Shakhar is a Professor Emeritus in the Department of Psychology, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and a leading expert in the psychophysiological detection of deception. Marianna Barr studied English and Comparative Literature. She has written and translated poetry as well as translated numerous theoretical books, essays, and short stories.

"In our post-modern era in which the distinction between truth and fiction is increasingly blurred and practices offering quick solutions are more popular than ever, Science, Pseudo-science, Non-sense, and Critical Thinking is a must read. In accessible and often humorous language, Barr and Ben-Shakhar debunk practices based on mysticism and pseudoscience, offer illuminating insights into our beliefs, and demonstrate the promise of critical thinking. Reading this book was sheer pleasure. I will recommend it to all my students because critical thinking is important not just for science, it is important for our everyday life." - Ram Frost, Professor of Psychology, The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel

• PrefaceAcknowledgmentsIntroductionChapter OneYou Have Great Unfulfilled Potential: Cold (Psychic) ReadingWhat is Cold Reading?Tarot CardsCold Reading and Psychological ScienceHow does it Work?Why does it Work?How Much Does it Cost?BibliographyChapter Two"They Love you and you know that": AstrologyAn Overview of AstrologyAstrology and ScienceBibliographyChapter ThreeShow me your handwriting and I’ll tell you who you are: GraphologyScience and Pseudo-ScienceHistory of GraphologyThe Use of GraphologyIs Handwriting Truly a Mirror of our Personality?The Validity of GraphologyBibliographyChapter FourPinocchio’s Nose: The Truth behind the Lie-DetectorOops, an Innocent Man has been condemned to Life ImprisonmentLying, Honesty and the Desire to Tell them ApartThe Truth will out: A Brief History of the PolygraphThe Relevant/Irrelevant Question Test (R/I)The Control (Comparison) Question Test (CQT)The Direct Lie Test (DLT)The Concealed Information Test (CIT)The CQT versus the CIT – where is the Scientific Basis?Accuracy of the CQT versus the CITThe Use of the Polygraph in Screening and Classification ProcessesThe Use of the Integrity Test as an Alternative to the CQTBibliographyChapter Five"Since Man Cannot Live without Miracles, he will Provide Himself with Miracles of his Own Making": The belief in Practices based on Cold Reading, Mysticism, and Pseudo-ScienceThe Need to BelieveAbuse of the need to believePopular BeliefsBias in Human JudgmentThe Clients’ BeliefThe Burden of Doubt and IncertitudeThe Need to Remove Personal ResponsibilityThe Influence of the Barnum EffectBias for Positive Evidence Social and Cultural Influences (Conformity)Shifting the Burden of ProofThe Practitioners’ BeliefThe Confirmation BiasIllusory Validity BibliographyA Final Word