pseudopsychology
Bogus mental theory
Pseudopsychology refers to practices or belief systems that claim psychological validity but lack scientific foundation.
Astrology, phrenology, and certain personality typologies fall into this category—they adopt the language and appearance of psychology without rigorous methodology or empirical support.
The seminar turned out to be pseudopsychology dressed up in academic jargon.
Divination by celestial positions
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- graphologyStudy of penmanship patterns
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
- palmistryReading hands for fortunes
tarot · dowsing · biorhythms · reflexology · rebirthing · polygraph · Myers-Briggs · enneagram
Study of extrasensory phenomena
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
- ESPParanormal mental faculty
- psychokinesisMind-powered object manipulation
precognition · channeling · mediumship · out-of-body · extrasensory · mentalism
Faker claiming false expertise
- quackeryFraudulent medical practice
- fraudIntentional criminal trickery
- shamFraudulent imitation
- hoaxDeliberate deception for effect
mountebank · huckster · flimflam · impostor · bogus · fakery · scam · grift
Proving claims false
- evidence-basedSupported by verified data
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
- replicationAct of duplicating precisely
Ease of being deceived
- desperationUtter loss of hope
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
- manipulationUnderhanded control of others
astrology
Divination by celestial positions
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- graphologyStudy of penmanship patterns
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
palmistry · tarot · dowsing · biorhythms · reflexology · rebirthing · polygraph · Myers-Briggs · enneagram
parapsychology
Study of extrasensory phenomena
- telepathyDirect mental communication
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
- ESPParanormal mental faculty
psychokinesis · precognition · channeling · mediumship · out-of-body · extrasensory · mentalism
charlatan
Faker claiming false expertise
hoax · mountebank · huckster · flimflam · impostor · bogus · fakery · scam · grift · exploitation
unfalsifiability
Immunity to disproof
debunking
Proving claims false
- evidence-basedSupported by verified data
- empiricismKnowledge through observation
- falsifiabilitySusceptibility to disproof
replication · scrutiny · rationalism · skeptic · fact-checking
gullibility
Ease of being deceived
- desperationUtter loss of hope
- exploitationSelfish use of others
- suggestionIdea proposed for consideration
manipulation · indoctrination · cult · groupthink · susceptibility
pseudopsychologycognitive science
Study of mental processes
neuroscience · behavioral science · clinical psychology · psychological research · psychometrics
pseudo, psychology, pseudoscience, pseudonym, pseudonymous, psyche, psychic, psycho, psychological