I’ve always thought extrasensory perception or ESP was a cool idea. Shows like Stranger Things or movies about psychics made it seem like a mysterious power that science just hadn’t figured out yet. But after reviewing the lecture and reading a summary of the Ganzfeld experiments from Alcock’s 2003 article, it turns out that the evidence just isn’t there. The early studies seemed promising, but later replications failed when better controls were added. For example, once experimenters blocked out sensory cues and used proper randomization, the results dropped to chance levels. This showed me that even exciting ideas like telepathy need strong scientific proof to be taken seriously. It made me think about how easily we can be fooled by poor methods or small sample sizes. I still think ESP stories are fun, but I now know the difference between entertainment and evidence.
Back in school, we used to take handwriting quizzes online that claimed to tell you if you were shy or outgoing based on how you write your letters. We treated it like a fun thing to do during class breaks, but I remember a few people actually believing what their results said. After learning about graphology in this course, I was surprised to find out there is no scientific evidence that handwriting tells you anything about personality or job performance. In fact, Dean (1992) analyzed over 200 studies and found graphology to be no better than random guessing. Yet it's still used in some countries, even in hiring. That was honestly shocking to me. I think people want to find hidden meaning in small details, and that’s what makes these things appealing. But wanting something to be true doesn’t make it real. This helped me understand how important it is to ask for actual data before trusting a system like this.
I used to believe that listening to “focus” audios or subliminal tracks on YouTube could help me study or feel more confident. It felt like a secret brain hack that no one talked about. But after going through the lecture and reading Anthony Pratkanis’ article on subliminal self-help tapes, I learned there is no real evidence that subliminal messages have any meaningful effect. In his study, participants who listened to tapes labeled for memory or self-esteem didn’t actually improve in either area. What really changed was their belief that they had improved, not their actual performance. That really stuck with me because it shows how powerful our expectations can be. The placebo effect is strong, and sometimes our minds trick us into feeling better even when nothing changed. This made me realize that a lot of what feels real is just perception, not proof. Next time I see a video claiming to rewire my brain overnight, I’ll be a lot more skeptical.
There are three different learning styles: visual, auditory and kinesthetic. I feel that I am more of an auditory learner mixed with kinesthetic learning because I learn from listening and sometimes doing it hands on depending on what it is. But I feel it is very dependent on the subject I am learning. For example, when I was learning how to crochet it was better to learn by doing it then just being shown. But for regular classes I learn by just listening to the professor or the audio books. Another thing the slideshow was showing was how to assess children's learning styles if they do not match each other or the teacher. I am not sure there is a way to fully match children's learning style to each other or the teacher because there are so many different factors. Like the age of the students, what is being taught, the type of the school. Though that does not mean there can not be adaptability for the students so that they could be shown all three learning styles so they can find what works best for them.
When it comes to mass paranoia and delusions the first thing that comes to mind is the Salem witch trials. Which was when people though these women were witches and put them on trial and later resulted in their deaths by hanging. Which looking back on it sounds crazy because why would that be your first thought. But you have to take account the time period and religious beliefs at the time. Also, noting that Salem, Massachusetts was not the only location that was having paranoia and trials for witches it is just the most famous one. Next, when the slides start talking about aromatherapy and realizing how interconnected your sense of smell is with the rest of your body and that it can help in many ways like reducing stress and memory. Which reminded be of candles and how you could tell your friend that this candle smells like fall or hot chocolate.
Flim-Flam! Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions by James Randi is a critical exploration of pseudoscience and paranormal claims that gained popularity in the 20th century. Randi, a seasoned magician and skeptic, investigates topics ranging from spoon bending and psychic surgery to astrology and supernatural healing. Using scientific reasoning, first-hand investigations, and demonstrations of how illusion can be mistaken for the paranormal, Randi exposes the mechanisms behind many of these phenomena. His goal is not just to debunk, but to promote critical thinking and skepticism in the face of extraordinary, and often exploitative, claims. The book serves as a cornerstone in the skeptical movement, advocating for evidence-based inquiry over belief in the unexplained.
What makes the book especially relevant to topics like the Jersey Devil or doomsday predictions is Randi’s emphasis on how pseudoscientific and paranormal ideas often evolve from folklore, fear, and the human tendency to seek patterns or meaning in chaos. While Randi doesn’t specifically address the Jersey Devil, he tackles similar claims - cryptids, psychic visions, and end-of-the-world prophecies - by showing how easily they can spread without credible evidence. My favorite section is his analysis of Uri Geller, where Randi uses his knowledge of stage magic to dismantle supposed psychic feats. It illustrates how the paranormal is often a performance, wrapped in the language of science or mysticism to gain credibility. This directly parallels how legends like the Jersey Devil or apocalyptic predictions persist: through repetition, emotional appeal, and a lack of rigorous scrutiny. Randi's book is a great reminder that questioning these stories isn’t about cynicism, but about intellectual responsibility and the need to gain accurate information about the world around us.
The myth that humans only use 10% of their brain has persisted for over a century, despite being debunked by neuroscientists. This idea likely originated from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of neurological research in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, but it continues to fuel curiosity about the brain's untapped potential. In reality, modern brain imaging techniques show that nearly all parts of the brain have identifiable functions, even when we're at rest. Every region of the brain is active at different times, supporting everything from basic survival functions to complex cognitive processes. However, the notion of unused brain capacity feeds into the fascination with heightened mental abilities, such as those sometimes associated with out-of-body experiences (OBEs). OBEs, where individuals feel as though they have detached from their physical bodies, have been reported across cultures and often occur during extreme physical or psychological stress. Some researchers suggest these experiences may be related to disruptions in the brain's processing of spatial awareness, such as those caused by certain neurological conditions or during near-death experiences. While the 10% myth has no basis in scientific fact, it reflects a larger cultural curiosity about the limits of human consciousness and the possibility of unexplored mental powers.
Mass Hysterias which consists of the rapid and widespread appearance of unusual uncharacteristic behaviors, beliefs, feelings or even the possibility of physical symptoms among a group of people. Mass Delusions which is about the broader and refers to the widespread of acceptance of false beliefs within a population. Even though there is no underlying health condition or environmental cause to explain what is going on. More so a collective illusion of threat spread through a population due to rumors, fear and psychological contagion. More specifically in "The Salem Witch Trials" in 1692-1693 which young girls were accused of being possessed by the devil because of their strange behavior and fits were diagnosed as bewitchment and interpreted as evidence of demonic possession. Furthermore, the accusations were not based on real evidence but a combination of beliefs and claims which created a climate of fear and mass hysteria within the community. Leading to trials, torture, imprisonment and executions. An example of this in the modern day to a less degree would be people in fear of the Covid vaccines which for some it demonstrates fear and anxiety in belief of impending doom which is a form of mass hysteria. So when talking about both examples, they show how paranoia, fear and shared delusions are able to take ahold of a community which could also have the ability to lead to devastating consequences.
A modern day example of mass delusions/mass hysteria that can underpin these terms to a lesser extent would be an experiment I saw from a different class. In this example it kinda reminded me of these terms for which is called "The Asch conformity experiment". Here I saw this where a group of individuals were suppose to give a wrong answer when asked questions while one other individual would come in unknowingly that the whole group was in on the experiment except for him to see how he would react to conforming to others answers. The 1 individual did not know the experiment was going on and when the others were asked easy simple questions and answered them wrong the one individual who was not in on the experiment would see others answer the question wrong and agree with them while knowing it was not the correct answer. This reminds of this lecture topic for its focus in this case is social pressure and conformity of the majority group like The Salem Witch Trials where in some cases people were scared to be accused of something so its easier to agree with everyone else instead of going with what you really believe for the fact you didn't want to be put on the spot so with social influence was a desire to fit in.
Book Report: Film- Flam, Psychics, ESP, Unicorns, and Other Delusions
Flim-Flam! by James Randi is one of those books that really makes you stop and think. Randi, who was actually a magician, dives deep into the world of psychics, UFOs, ESP, and all kinds of paranormal claims—and tears them apart in the most logical, eye-opening way. He uses real investigations and evidence to show how people get fooled by scams, illusions, and bad science. What I appreciated most was that he wasn’t just being mean or making fun of believers. He genuinely wants people to learn how to think critically and protect themselves from being misled.
The book covers a wide range of topics—spoon bending, Bigfoot, astrology, and even faith healers. Randi doesn’t just say "this isn't real"—he explains why it doesn’t hold up and often shows how people got tricked. It’s kind of like a crash course in how to not be gullible, but it’s told in a funny, sharp, and really memorable way. If you’re the kind of person who watches a magic trick and wants to figure out how it’s done, you’d probably enjoy this book.
My favorite part of the book was the chapter where he exposes Peter Popoff, a so-called faith healer who claimed he could read minds and cure people with God’s power. But it turns out, he was secretly getting info through an earpiece from his wife, who was reading off prayer cards that people filled out beforehand. James Randi actually caught this using a radio scanner and played the recordings on TV. That part honestly blew my mind. I liked it because it shows how easily people can be manipulated when they’re desperate for hope. It also reminded me of what we learned in class about behaviorism—how rewards, authority, and emotion can shape people's actions.
This ties into what we’ve been discussing in psychology—things like confirmation bias, blind obedience to authority, and how people can be influenced by their emotions more than facts. Randi's investigations are real-world examples of these concepts in action. It made me think about how important it is to question things—even when they make us feel good. Just like we’ve learned in class, critical thinking and scientific reasoning are tools we can use to better understand the world and not get taken advantage of.
As part of this report,https://drive.google.com/file/d/1RX_VrKPNC_IEt7DIrHyeHObSNY53RAJO/view?usp=sharing I created a short podcast-style audio clip where I talk more about the Peter Popoff case and how it connects to what we’ve learned. Honestly, this book made me want to be more skeptical—not in a negative way, but in a curious way. We live in a world full of wild claims, conspiracy theories, and viral misinformation. I think this book is a great reminder to slow down, ask questions, and always check the facts.
After reviewing the lecture of Psychic crimes and detectives, my takeaways were psychic testing, missing people. Psychic testing in this experimental research there were three different experiments that were done. The first one was done in 1960 with Brink and it was a 1 year study with four psychics and no useful information was found. Then in 1979 Reiser did a double blind study and also said that psychics can provide significant additional information for a major case to be solved. Then he did a follow up study in 1982. There were two group psychic detectives and college students and they needed to identify items from 3 crime scenes but again there was no significance found. It was interesting learning about Charles Chapel, the man that went missing for months and had Alzheimer's . Then this self proclaimed psychic detective comes up to help but in the end they did not use her predictions and he was later found by a hunter. Overall, while I was reading the slides it just made me think about the tv show Psychic and how it's good for entertainment but there is no science behind it. But that does make me think, what do psychics believe in? Are they aware that they are lying or do they truly believe what they are saying?
Graphology claims to reveal character traits like honesty, ambition, or mood just from the way someone forms their letters. More than 200 independent scientific studieshave since discredited this statement (Dean, 1992; Beyerstein, 1990). Psychiatrist Raj Persaud, wrote in The Guardian that the field “is just as unscientific and irrelevant as phrenology” (The Guardian, 2005).
In one experiment by psychologists Roy King and Derek Koehler, students were asked to match random handwriting samples to personality descriptions. Even though the pairings were fake, the students still “saw” connections. Their expectations influenced what they thought they saw (King & Koehler, 2000).
What Handwriting Can Tell Us
Handwriting can reflect issues with fine motor skills, tremors, or even neurological conditions like Parkinson’s disease. For example, doctors have used writing samples as one tool to detect early signs of degeneration (Drotár et al., 2014).
Your handwriting may change temporarily if you're tired, rushed, or stressed—sloppier writing, heavier pressure, or erratic spacing. But that’s more about your state than your traits.
The way you form letters can hint at the time or country in which you learned to write. Cursive vs. print, loopy or blocky letters all reflect cultural and educational trends.
Forensics:
Unlike graphology, forensic document examination is used in courts and criminal investigations. It's not about who you are; it's about whether you wrote something. Experts compare characteristics like slant, pressure, spacing, and stroke order to determine if two handwriting samples came from the same person. It’s used to verify signatures, detect forgeries, or analyze threats. However, even forensic handwriting analysis isn't flawless. It's still considered supporting evidence, not a definitive identification method (Found & Rogers, 2005).
Persaud, R. (2005). Writing wrongs: Graphology has been repeatedly debunked by scientific tests. The Guardian. Link
King, R., & Koehler, D. J. (2000). Illusory correlations in graphological inference. Journal of Experimental Psychology: Applied.
Dean, G. (1992). The Bottom Line: Effect Size. The Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine.
Found, B., & Rogers, D. (2005). The probative character of forensic handwriting examiners’ identification and elimination opinions on questioned signatures. Forensic Science International.
What Do Different Religions Say About the End of the World?
Across cultures and centuries, the idea of the world ending has captivated people’s imaginations—and nearly every religion has something to say about it. While details differ, common themes remain: justice, renewal, and the hope that something better comes after.
In Christianity, the end is marked by the return of Jesus, a final judgment, and the creation of a new heaven and earth. Islam shares a similar structure: a day of resurrection, divine judgment, and eternal reward or punishment. Both imagine a final reckoning where wrongs are made right.
Judaism, on the other hand, focuses less on apocalyptic doom and more on transformation. The coming of the Messiah is expected to usher in an era of peace and justice. In Hinduism and Buddhism, time is cyclical. We’re currently in a dark age (Kali Yuga), but it won’t last forever. Hindus believe the avatar Kalki will restore balance, while Buddhists await the future Buddha, Maitreya, to revive the Dharma.
Even Indigenous and folk religions often include myths of great floods, fire, or cosmic battles that end the world, but follow with rebirth. These stories remind us that the idea of “the end” is more about starting over.
Religious end-time beliefs aren’t so different from modern doomsday predictions. The coursework reviewed recent panics, such as in the year 2000, when people feared technology would collapse society. There was also another panic around 2012, based on a misinterpretation of the Mayan calendar. These moments sparked a kind of secular hysteria fueled more by fear and speculation than facts, much like religious prophecies do when taken to extremes. In both cases, people searched for meaning and control anywhere they could.
I still remember how scared I was in 2012, even though I was old enough to know better. The internet was filled with ominous countdowns, documentaries claiming the Mayan calendar predicted global destruction, and friends whispering what-ifs. I didn’t totally believe it, but the fear was contagious. It wasn’t until much later that I realized I’d experienced a form of collective anxiety, something psychologists call mass hysteria.
The end of the world often reflects the anxieties of the time, and it is important to keep a level head.
Mass hysteria occurs when a group of people start to believe or behave irrationally, often driven by shared fear, uncertainty, or pressure, rather than facts or physical causes.
You may have heard someone say, “Don’t drink the Kool-Aid,” as a warning not to fall for something blindly. It comes from what happened in Jonestown, Guyana, in 1978, when over 900 people died after having a drink laced with cyanide. They were followers of cult leader Jim Jones, and many believed they were doing something meaningful because of how deeply they had been manipulated.
What’s especially disturbing is how Jones controlled the information his followers received. He isolated them from outside information, portrayed journalists as enemies, and created a world where questioning him could cost you everything. As The Washington Post put it, “Jones had managed to cut off nearly all outside contact and created an environment of intense social pressure where dissent was punished and conformity was rewarded.”
And while that happened decades ago, the psychology behind it hasn’t changed; it’s just taken on new forms in today’s world. Instead of being physically isolated like Jonestown’s followers, we now find ourselves in digital echo chambers, where algorithms filter what we see and hear.
Influencers often act like modern-day cult leaders, offering confident answers to complex problems. Clickbait headlines and conspiracy theories spread faster than actual news. Too often, we can’t tell the difference. Meanwhile, real journalism is being defunded today, with local news outlets shutting down and fact-checked reporting replaced by emotionally charged content.
This makes us more vulnerable than ever. Just like in Jonestown or the Salem Witch Trials, fear, uncertainty, and isolation create the perfect storm for mass delusion. When people feel overwhelmed, they reach for anything that feels solid, even if it’s a lie.
According to the Four Theories of the Press, the media can:
Serve the state (Authoritarian),
Serve the people freely (Libertarian),
Balance freedom with responsibility (Social Responsibility),
Or push state ideology (Soviet/Communist).
America is supposed to follow the Social Responsibility model, but with clickbait, defunding, and rising misinformation and disinformation, are we really living up to that?
Who do you trust for news? Are we using our media freedom wisely, or just drinking new versions of Kool-Aid?
The exploration of the human mind has led to some of the most intriguing and controversial topics, such as UFO abductions, projective testing, and past life regression. These concepts, while often met with skepticism, offer insight into the depths of human consciousness and the ways in which individuals process and interpret their experiences. UFO abductions, for example, have been a subject of fascination and fear for decades, with numerous reports of individuals claiming to have been abducted by extraterrestrials. These experiences often defy rational explanation, leading some to believe they are the result of psychological phenomena, such as sleep paralysis or dissociation, rather than actual extraterrestrial contact. Similarly, projective testing, such as the Rorschach inkblot test, seeks to uncover the subconscious mind by interpreting responses to ambiguous stimuli. While this method has been criticized for its subjectivity, it has nonetheless provided valuable insights into the complexities of human thought and emotion. Lastly, past life regression, often explored through hypnosis, aims to tap into memories of previous lives, with proponents arguing that it can reveal unresolved issues from past experiences that affect one's current behavior. Although controversial, these practices all point to a fundamental curiosity about the mind's vast and mysterious nature. Whether they provide real insights or not, they challenge our understanding of consciousness and how we make sense of our existence in a complex world.
Subliminal messaging has become a topic of great interest in both psychological studies and everyday life, as it touches on how our subconscious mind can be influenced without our awareness. This technique involves subtle cues such as images, sounds, or words that are presented so quickly or faintly that they bypass our conscious attention but can still influence our behavior. Advertisers and media often use these techniques, aiming to affect consumer decisions or emotional responses without us realizing. For instance, a commercial might use hidden messages to trigger desires or fears, prompting us to make purchases or form opinions unknowingly. While the debate on the effectiveness of subliminal messaging continues, it raises important questions about free will and manipulation. If we are constantly exposed to these messages, how much control do we really have over our thoughts and actions? This phenomenon highlights the power of our subconscious and how easily it can be shaped by external influences, even without our conscious consent.
While looking over lecture 4 I found this topic interesting that people for over hundreds of years and still up to this day are continuing to make predictions that the world is going to end on any given day. While this may be based off peoples reasoning of some sort, it continues to be wrong. As for how it will happen, consists of people’s ideas that threats like asteroids, nuclear war, climate change or ecological collapse to name a few is the how. However, the reason I find it so interesting is it almost feels like a common idea from people but there’s never any real evidence proving why people keep having these predictions. As for could any of these things happen in the future on any given day the answer is yes but the possibility of these scenarios occurring are if maybe even 1 % a year for all of them. So, what intrigues me is why many people do make these predictions with sometimes a wide range of ways that it could happen as well as sometimes a large range for when exactly with no evidence hard reasoning backing it up.
I remember as a kid that some people were in absolute fear the world was ending in 2012 when it was predicted. So, with the prepping that came along for some also came chaos and confusion for others. While I remember hearing of the possibility of this catastrophe, I also remember watching the movie “2012” and thinking how scary this day would be if occurred. However, being a young kid, I didn’t investigate the facts so I assumed this could happen. While people online went back and forth with ongoing research and much debate it seemed like there were true believers on one side and non-believers on the other. In reality, from hundreds of years ago from the first prediction of the world ending to today, they lack real scientific evidence and couldn’t be farther from the truth. None of the end of the world evidence has yet to come true and often fall into pseudoscience. For example, the world ending in 2012 which was convincing enough entertainment for a countdown and movie. In reality this specific day was tied to a astronomical phenomenon and ended up a misunderstanding of the calendars purpose which marked the beginning of a new cycle. Commonly the end of the world claims are proven over and over again with critical thinking meaning all circumstances included why most actually could never even happen this soon in reality as well as the dates they were “suppose to” happen. Furthermore, while one person makes a claim that the world will end on a specific day, there is hundreds of credible scientists who view the potential global risks of all sorts and approach these false accusations daily. As for the world ending in 2012 and the other end of the world predictions these date continues to pass with no incidents.
Mass Hysteria: When Fear Spreads Faster Than Facts
Mass delusions and hysterias have shaped some of the most fascinating—and terrifying—moments in human history. Whether it's a town swept up in fear or an entire generation chasing trends without evidence, these psychological events often reveal more about societal pressure than reality. One of the most famous researchers of this phenomenon was psychologist Hadley Cantril, who studied the reaction to the 1938 War of the Worlds radio broadcast. Millions of listeners, thinking Earth was truly under Martian attack, panicked—proving how easily fear and suggestion can override rational thought. Cantril’s analysis showed how media and ambiguity can fuel widespread delusion, especially in times of uncertainty.
Long before that, the Salem Witch Trials of 1692 painted a dark picture of how mass hysteria can lead to devastating consequences. A few young girls’ strange behavior led to a wildfire of accusations, imprisonments, and executions—all based on little more than paranoia and religious extremism. What started as fear of the unknown turned into a communal breakdown in logic, where evidence was irrelevant and confession was often the only way to survive. Historians and psychologists alike see Salem as a classic case of collective delusion fueled by stress, superstition, and a hunger for control in a chaotic world.
Even in modern times, mass psychological influence creeps into our everyday lives in less obvious ways—sometimes even through seemingly harmless trends like aromatherapy. While some scents like lavender or peppermint can be soothing, claims that essential oils can cure depression, prevent illness, or “cleanse energy” often lack solid scientific backing. Yet, people adopt these ideas in droves, not because of proof, but because of cultural momentum, marketing, and anecdotal reassurance. It’s a more subtle form of groupthink, but just as telling.
Exploring the Mind: UFO Abductions, Projective Testing, and Past Life Regression
UFO abductions have long fascinated psychologists, researchers, and the public alike—not just for their otherworldly implications, but for what they reveal about the human mind. Many individuals who report abduction experiences describe vivid, often traumatic encounters that feel deeply real to them. While skeptics often chalk these up to sleep paralysis, false memory, or media influence, the psychological depth of these experiences can’t be dismissed so easily. What’s particularly compelling is how abduction narratives often emerge during hypnosis or therapeutic settings, echoing the emotional tone of genuine trauma.
This is where projective testing—like the Rorschach Inkblot Test or the Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)—comes into play. These tools are designed to reveal unconscious thoughts, feelings, and conflicts by presenting ambiguous stimuli. In some UFO abduction cases, projective tests have revealed deep fears of control, isolation, or identity loss, which may subconsciously shape how abductees interpret their experiences. These tests don’t confirm whether an abduction “really” happened, but they do shed light on the emotional and psychological frameworks people use to make sense of extraordinary or unexplainable events.
Adding another layer to this mystery is past life hypnotic regression, where individuals under hypnosis recall events or lives they claim to have lived before this one. Interestingly, some abduction experiencers report past lives where they had similar extraterrestrial encounters, or even claim reincarnation from other planets or dimensions. While mainstream science remains skeptical, the consistent emotional themes—fear, transformation, awakening—raise questions about whether our subconscious minds are tapping into something deeper. Whether metaphor, memory, or something more, these experiences highlight how powerful and mysterious the mind truly is.
The Jersey Devil: New Jersey’s Most Chilling Legend
Tucked deep in the eerie shadows of the Pine Barrens is a legend that has haunted New Jersey for over 250 years—the tale of the Jersey Devil. With leathery wings, hooves, a forked tail, and a piercing screech that rattles even the bravest locals, this cryptid has become one of America’s most enduring urban legends. Born from a curse in 1735, the creature is said to be the thirteenth child of Mother Leeds—transformed into a monster upon birth and banished to the woods. Whether folklore or fear, the Devil has taken flight in the minds of generations.
Over the years, the Jersey Devil has reportedly been seen by police officers, businessmen, and even entire towns during a week of mass sightings in 1909. These encounters often follow a similar pattern—terrifying sounds in the night, strange tracks in the snow, and fleeting glimpses of something unnatural lurking just out of reach. Despite skepticism, the consistency of these sightings and the sheer number of witnesses have kept curiosity alive. Some dismiss it as hysteria or misidentifications, but others swear on what they saw, convinced the Pine Barrens hides more than just trees.
What makes the Jersey Devil so fascinating isn’t just the legend itself—it’s the way it has rooted itself in New Jersey’s identity. It’s more than just a monster story; it’s a piece of the state’s cultural fabric. From hockey team names to Halloween attractions, the creature has been embraced by pop culture, yet its origins remain ominous and unsettling. Whether you believe in it or not, one thing is certain: something about those dense, quiet woods has always felt a little...off. And maybe, just maybe, that’s because something is watching. https://weirdnj.com/stories/jersey-devil/
I've noticed a trend in a lot of our lectures here: a topic will be introduced, along with the idea behind it and any research supporting it, and then we find out that it's completely false. Lecture #3 covers the "10% of your brain" myth, which motivational speakers and leadership conferences fell for hook, line, and sinker. I'm actually quite surprised got as much attention as it did, because brain imaging has been around for decades and very easily debunks this. Like the PowerPoint said, brain functionality is localized and there's never a time where nothing is happening. It's impossible to even gather information that would support this myth. So why do speakers and companies continue to spread this kind of misinformation over and over again? I think the answer is simpler: they truly do not care, at all. Organizations with thousands of employees pay big money to gain insight on how to optimize productivity and increase employee compliance by any means necessary. Do you really think the event coordinator of some billion dollar corporation is going to vet the generic 'leadership conference' company that they hired to speak in some hotel ballroom? Nobody is immune to misinformation and propaganda, and if you think you are, it's worked. A good enough speaker could probably get the majority of people to believe anything. I remember sitting in on some kind of learning development seminar (It was extra points for a class I took when I was a community college student) and it was truly the holy grail of pseudo-psychology. Granted, I'm not a psych major and there may be some truth mixed in with the BS that they were spewing, but they covered a lot of the topics that we did in this class mainly the learning modality myth, and in my opinion, the worst offender: the Myers-Briggs personality test. I'm sure you've heard of it. It's become so regular even services like Tinder and LinkedIn have options to display your MBTI personality type in your profile. The truth is, there really is no evidence behind it. It was invented in the 1940's by a mother-daughter duo who had no education or work experience in psychology at all. Yet hiring managers and public speakers alike eat this stuff it, because it falsely tells you who is a 'good' or 'bad' employee, as if a 20 question test could determine that. Things like this are what's killing nuance and uniqueness in this world, but that's a whole other blog post. If you want to learn about why and how MBTI is garbage, check out this article: https://www.vox.com/2014/7/15/5881947/myers-briggs-personality-test-meaningless
Lecture #6 was really interesting because as a kid I was really into true crime. Learning about the disappearance of Charles Capel and the Barnum effect opened my eyes into how predatory the psychic industry truly is. They prey on the most vulnerable people: those looking for a missing loved one, those confused about their direction in life, those desperate to finally find answers closure after the loss of someone special. They use vague language that could apply to literally anyone and market it as helping you understand yourself better. They read your nonverbal social cues, make quick inferences about your life and leave you dazzled as to how they could've possibly known these things about you. And it doesn't come cheap, with readings and special services sometimes costing several hundred dollars each (I tried to find an average cost, and it varies greatly, different sources claim anywhere from $40 to $400) depending on where and who you go to. This lecture goes into the differences in though process between true science and pseudoscience. Pseudoscience relies on making vague assumptions, quickly jumping to conclusions, and no way of replicating the results of your experiment. The truth about Charles Capel's disappearance says it all. Noreen Reiner, the psychic who was consulted by the police department looing for Capel, 'predicted' that he was eight miles from his home, and 'saw' a wooded area, a fence, and stones. This is insultingly vague. I pick almost any point in my hometown of Freehold and see all of those things. None of this information is remotely helpful. Her reading wasn't even used by investigators, and the whole '8 miles' thing was grossly incorrect too (he was found half a mile from his home). I'm entering my senior year here at Stockton in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology degree program, and I have the privilege of working in one of the microbiology labs here. The scientific method has been engrained in my life for a long time. The greatest thing about science is that it takes into account what we don't know. It considers all the influencing factors and circumstances of a particular experiment. It's not a disgrace when data comes back statistically insignificant. My current senior research project has had countless trips back to the drawing board, re-dos, and the like. Pseudosciences like psychic mediumship inherently cannot do this. What kind of a psychic could make money off of saying "I don't know"? Comedian John Oliver did a great piece on his show "Last Week Tonight" about psychics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhMGcp9xIhY
Lecture #4 really stood out to me for a few reasons. I had always know what the Y2K bug was, and the general basis for why people were afraid, but I had no idea how big it really was. I was born in 2003, so I wasn't there to experience it myself, but I did learn about it sometime in high school when I was taught the 'modern' decades of US history. I kind of thought of it like gossip, like something you'd see on a tabloid cover and would be the hottest lunchroom conversation topic at high schools across the world. I had no idea that the President of the United States got involved and had to give official press briefings about the potential internet blackout. I find it really interesting how fringe doomsday prepper groups took advantage of the Y2K craze and wove their narrative into it. I remember very well the 2012 end-of-the-world craze surrounding the Mayan calendar. I was in fourth grade, and I remember the days leading up to December 21st (the day the world was allegedly supposed to, but evidently did not, end) the majority of my class spent the day talking about how they were preparing for the oncoming apocalypse. I also remember coming home one of those days, asking if I could skip school the next day due to the world ending, and being met with a long, tired sigh and curt 'absolutely not' by my mom.
Both of these instances, where there was such a frenzy over the world ending and ultimately nothing happening, remind me of learning about "The Great Disappointment" of 1844. William Miller, a Seventh-Day Adventist preacher, gained a following of over 100,000 people by 'calculating' that the end of the world would happen on October 22, 1844. He came up with this date by using arbitrary numbers he found in The Bible and gave enchanting, charismatic sermons across the US. When the world did not end, they truly were disappointed that the rapture did not happen and that they were still alive, and the majority of Miller's followers abandoned him shortly after. This habit of using numbers from religious texts is still prominent in doomsday religious groups around the US. Here's a great video that touches on several end-of-the-world predictions: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ujYhAGJCswA&t=70s
As I was looking over the lectures I noticed that Lecture 2 was about "The Jersey Devil" which is something Ive always been curious about. After going through the slides this lecture specifically reminded me of a show I watched called "Ghost Hunters" as well as the show "Ghost Adventures" which is all about people encountering paranormal activity and a belief that there are ghost haunting certain houses or places. First off, there are many similarities in both these shows and in The Jersey Devil. The Jersey Devil consists of reports from over 300 years ago and was witnessed by many people where odd things would happen in the state of New Jersey and people would automatically assume it had to be the Jersey Devil. this was the same for the show in which there was numerous reports of ghost in buildings from certain noises or acts like a door shut without someone touching it. Both things that are reported in The Jersey Devil are the same things that are reported in these shows. This included some apparent rare sightings, odd noises and more importantly the belief that what caused this paranormal activity was what people wanted it to be. More importantly no real evidence in ether situation whether it be on video or a picture.
While there was no actual proof of sightings of ghost in the shows as well as no proof that the Jersey Devil was actually committing these problems it is said in both that their answer is the only answer for why this could be happening. In both claims from the shows and tale of the Jersey Devil the paranormal activity continues to be reported as well as people keep investigating looking for proof with no real results or actual proof. Its funny how the examples in both show and The Jersey Devil included the same paranormal activity like sensing a presence, hearing unexplained noises or partly seeing something. Although there continues to be a belief and or investigation for these possibilities people always end up unable to provide convincing real evidence and proof for the existence of the Jersey Devil or ghost in the shows. To add, with all this knowledge at hand there is still a poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University which consists of 44% of New Jersey residents consider ghost to be somewhat or very likely to be real. To make things more interesting the same place Fairleigh Dickinson University has a poll that states 16% of New Jersey residents believe that the Jersey Devil is real. As well as 18% believe its not very likely but possible it could be real.
Viral BS is a witty, sharp, and insightful dive into the world of medical misinformation. Written by Seema Yasmin, a physician and former Epidemic Intelligence Service officer, the book tackles some of the internet’s most persistent myths about health and science. Yasmin began writing the book in 2018, but the topics remain highly relevant today, touching on everything from how diseases actually spread to whether trendy wellness hacks are effective.
What sets Viral BS apart is Yasmin’s ability to not just correct falsehoods, but to tell the stories behind them. She breaks down the flawed studies, questionable scientific methods, and public misunderstandings that often lead to viral misinformation. Her tone is accessible and humorous, with occasional personal insights and opinions that add originality and personality to her writing.
While the book excels at debunking myths, one notable shortfall is its limited exploration of why misinformation spreads so easily. Yasmin presents the "what" clearly and engagingly—but at times, the reader is left craving a deeper dive into the cultural, psychological, or systemic reasons behind the spread of false health claims. A bit more reflection on her own research or first-hand experiences could have added valuable depth.
Both Viral BS and the class focus on thinking more critically and not just believing something because it sounds good.
I especially enjoyed Chapter 15 on Aspirin and Nazis as it read like a story, which made it easier to understand. Chapter 46 felt like the perfect conclusion, connecting fake news and misinformation to modern politics in a way that felt relevant. Reading that chapter made me think about the role of fact-checkers during recent live presidential debates. Fact-checkers try to correct false claims in real time, but the damage is already done because the audience often remembers the original statement more than the correction. Chapter 46 also helped me better understand why that happens and why misinformation spreads so easily, even when the truth is available. I also liked how theory-based it was, which was something I wish had been expanded on more in the rest of the book. Finally, the kit at the end reminded me of what we’ve learned in class, but also added useful tips like “follow the money”.
The popular media and self-help industry is rife with extraordinary claims. Alien experimentation, psychic detectives, mediums, ESP, extreme therapies and miracle products are all examples of how pseudoscience and the paranormal have become prevalent, popular and even an extremely lucrative enterprise. The majority of these examples defy the basic laws of science, logic and common sense yet they appeal to a large number of people. Here we will use science, specifically a psychological perspective to explore these popular theories and claims, and learn to think critically in order to be able to constructively evaluate them.
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