pseudoscience
Junk dressed scientifically
Pseudoscience is a set of beliefs or practices presented as scientific but lacking the methodology, evidence, or rigor that actual science requires.
Astrology, phrenology, and conversion therapy are examples—they adopt scientific-sounding language without subjecting claims to testable hypotheses or peer review.
The documentary exposed the pseudoscience behind the supplement industry.
Divination by celestial positions
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
- acupunctureTherapeutic needle insertion
chiropractic · naturopathy · reiki · reflexology · dowsing · ayurveda · cupping · detox
Foretelling through mystical means
- tarotDivination card set
- palmistryReading hands for fortunes
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
- séanceSpirit communication ritual
medium · scrying · fortune-telling · tea-leaves · runes · psychic · precognition · telepathy
Fraudulent medical practice
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- debunkingProving claims false
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
- placeboInactive therapeutic substitute
hoax · snake-oil · fraud · credulity · gullibility · misinformation · disproven · unfalsifiable
Disc-shaped planet belief
- antivaxxerOne opposing immunization
- chemtrailsAlleged aerial chemical dispersal
- creationismDivine origin doctrine
- anti-fluorideOpposing dental water treatment
Unidentified aerial craft
- aliensBeings from other worlds
- extraterrestrialsBeings from other worlds
- RoswellNew Mexico city, UFO-famous
- abductionUnlawful seizure of person
grays · contactee · sightings · cover-up · conspiracy · probing · unexplained
Legendary North American ape-man
- cryptidUnproven legendary animal
- chupacabraFolklore's livestock-draining monster
- NessieScottish lake creature's nickname
- thunderbirdSpirit bird causing tempests
jackalope · expeditions · sightings · folklore · hoaxes · eyewitness
astrology
Divination by celestial positions
- homeopathyDiluted-substance alternative medicine
- phrenologySkull-bump personality assessment
- numerologyMystical significance of digits
acupuncture · chiropractic · naturopathy · reiki · reflexology · dowsing · ayurveda · cupping · detox · biorhythms
divination
Foretelling through mystical means
- tarotDivination card set
- palmistryReading hands for fortunes
- clairvoyanceExtrasensory perception ability
séance · medium · scrying · fortune-telling · tea-leaves · runes · psychic · precognition · telepathy · telekinesis
quackery
Fraudulent medical practice
- charlatanFaker claiming false expertise
- debunkingProving claims false
- skepticismDisposition toward doubt
placebo · hoax · snake-oil · fraud · credulity · gullibility · misinformation · disproven · unfalsifiable · cherry-picking
flat-earth
Disc-shaped planet belief
- antivaxxerOne opposing immunization
- chemtrailsAlleged aerial chemical dispersal
- creationismDivine origin doctrine
UFO
Unidentified aerial craft
- aliensBeings from other worlds
- extraterrestrialsBeings from other worlds
- RoswellNew Mexico city, UFO-famous
abduction · grays · contactee · sightings · cover-up · conspiracy · probing · unexplained
Bigfoot
Legendary North American ape-man
- cryptidUnproven legendary animal
- chupacabraFolklore's livestock-draining monster
- NessieScottish lake creature's nickname
thunderbird · jackalope · expeditions · sightings · folklore · hoaxes · eyewitness
- Misconceptionsmisconception, myth, fallacy, false belief, mistaken belief
- nonsciencesastrology, numerology, phrenology, graphology, palmistry
- denialismclimate denial, Holocaust denial, vaccine denial, denialism, election denial
- misinformationmisinformation, disinformation, fake news, falsehoods, hoaxes
- unreasonirrationalism, irrationality, unreason, illogic, anti-rationalism
- anti-vaccineanti-vax, anti-vaxxer, anti-vaxxers, vaccine refusal, vaccine hesitancy
pseudosciencescience
Systematic study through observation
hard science · evidence-based medicine · scientific method · evidence-based practice · experimental science