This page is intended to list articles in existing print and electronic reference sources relating to the topic of pseudoscience.

Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience edit

Articles included in the Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience: From Alien Abductions to Zone Therapy, Dr. William F. Williams, general editor, Facts on File, Inc., ISBN 0-8160-3351-X.


Articles with marked subarticles edit

  • Fad diets – Liquid diets*; Single-food diets*; Combined foods*; Fasting and modified fasting*; High protein/low carbohydrate diets*; Cancer treatment diets**;
    • Fad diets – Cancer treatment diets – Gerson Diet*; Bristol Diet*;

Major articles edit

over 2 pages

Significant articles edit

3 paragraphs to 2 pages

Minor articles edit

1 or 2 paragraphs

Redirects edit

The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience edit

The Skeptic Encyclopedia of Pseudoscience, ed. Michael Shermer, ABC-Clio, 2002, ISBN 1-57607-653-9.

Major articles edit

2 pages or more

Significant articles edit

3 paragraphs to 2 pages

  • Alternative archaeology – The distinction between archaeology and pseudoarchaeology; Pseudopractice; Pseudointerpretation – Substitution of speculation for traditional archaeological evidence; Pseudointerpretation – Attempts to deploy the authority of nonhistorical sciences to establish historical hypotheses; Conclusion; Animal mutilations*; Anthroposophy and Anthroposophical medicine – Goethean science; Astrology – The Basics of astrology; References; Attachment therapy – Techniques of AT; Outcomes; Theoretical background; References;
  • Bermuda Triangle*;
  • Cryptozoology – What is cryptozoology?; Successes and new species; Is cryptozoology a science?; Cults – Exiting a cult; Helping victims cope;
  • Dietary supplements – Drugs versus dietary supplements; The Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA); Beware!; Beware! – A Weight lifter and creatine; Beware! – Celebrity power – the Iscador story; Studies to evaluate dietary supplements as drugs; Studies to evaluate dietary supplements as drugs – St. John's wort; Dowsing*;
  • Feng shui – The yin-yang school;
  • Hypnosis – The History of hypnosis; Hypnosis as entertainment; The Therapeutic use of hypnosis; Hypnosis and memory; The Nature of hypnosis;
  • Laundry balls*;
  • Magnetic therapy – Therapeutic claims; Research; Research – Fixed solid magnets; Research – Pulsating electromagnetic field therapy; Marketing magnetism; Meditation – Paranormal effects; Scientific research on meditation; Multiple personality disorder – References;
  • Near-death experiences – The State of the evidence on near-death experiences; Explanations for the near-death experience; Explanations for the near-death experience – Anoxia or hypercarbia; Explanations for the near-death experience – Life after death; Bibliography;
  • Observer effects and observer bias – The Double-blind experiment; Observer effects; Observer effects – Clever Hans; Facilitated communication; Observer bias – Patient or applicant?; Observer bias – Subliminal tapes; Out-of-body experiences – References;
  • Planetary alignments – Recent planetary alignments; How often do the planets align?; Planetary alignments and earthquakes;
  • Pseudoscience and science – References;
  • Séance*; Shamans and shamanism*; Sun sign astrology – Popularity; References;
  • Therapeutic touch – Practicum; Claims for healing; Etiology and Epistemology; History; Research; Eschatology; Bibliography; Tutankhamun's curse*;
  • UFOs – Logic of UFO arguments; Perception and psychology; Social psychological factors; Organizational involvement; Undeceiving ourselves – Deceiving ourselves; Effects of complexity; Judging numbers; Undeceiving ourselves; Now for the bad news; Bibliography;

Minor articles edit

1 or 2 paragraphs

  • Alien abductions – References; Alternative archaeology – Pseudointerpretation – Selected and/or distorted presentation of established knowledge; Pseudointerpretation – Reliance on supposed “anomalies”; Pseudointerpretation – Reinterpretation of scientific artifacts or entire sites without regard for their context; Pseudointerpretation – “Decoding” of traces of hidden history or advanced knowledge in ancient myths or iconography; Pseudointerpretation – Use of innuendo to undermine the authority of academic archaeology; Pseudointerpretation – Use of rhetorical tricks to mask a weak case; Pseudointerpretation – Use of legal, not scientific, standards of argument; References; Ancient astronauts – References; Animal mutilations – References; Anomalous psychological experiences – References; Anthroposophy and Anthroposophical medicine – Anthroposophical medicine; Biodynamic agriculture (biodynamics); References; Astrology – Early history; Recent history; Disagreement is normal; Popularity; Facts and feelings; Research findings; Hidden persuaders; The Mars effect; Is astrology helpful?; Astrology's dark side; What of the future?;
  • Ball lightning – References; Bermuda Triangle – References; Biorhythnms – References;
  • Carlos Castaneda – References; Clever Hans – References; Crop circles – References; Cryptozoology – Cryptids – Lake Monsters; Cryptids – Sea serpents; Cryptids – Bigfoot and similar creatures; Cryptids – Living dinosaurs; Cryptids – Giant octopus; Cryptids – Cryptophidian; Cryptids – Leguatia; Cryptozoological evidence; Successes and new species – Okapi; Successes and new species – Coelacanths; Successes and new species – Megamouth shark; Successes and new species – Giant gecko; Successes and new species – New beaked whales; Successes and new species – Saola and new muntjacs; Creationism and the paranormal in cryptozoology; Cults – References;
  • Dietary supplements – Drug interactions; Studies to evaluate dietary supplements as drugs – Ephedra; Studies to evaluate dietary supplements as drugs – Gingko bilboa; Studies to evaluate dietary supplements as drugs – Glucosamine; Integrating dietary supplements into health care; References; Dowsing – References;
  • Earthquake prediction – References; Electromagnetic fields and cell phones – Cell phones; References;
  • Fairies, elves, pixies, and gnomes – References; Faster-than-light travel – References; Feng shui – Chinese philosophy and naturalism; References;
  • Uri Geller – The spoon bend; Reproducing a drawing in a sealed envelope; Restarting “broken” watches; Testing by scientists; Personality; References;
  • Handwriting analysis and graphology – References; Hypnosis – References;
  • Ideomotor effect (the “ouija board” effect) – References;
  • Laundry balls – References;
  • Magnetic therapy – Conclusions; References; Mars face (extraterrestrial archaeology) – References; Meditation – Extraordinary effects; Ordinary effects; References;
  • Near-death experiences – Explanations for the near-death experience – Expectation; Explanations for the near-death experience – Administered drugs; Explanations for the near-death experience – Endorphins; Explanations for the near-death experience – Temporal lobe stimulation;
  • Observer effects and observer bias – Observer bias – N rays; References;
  • Phrenology – References; Piltdown Man – References; Placebo effect – References; Planetary alignments – Recent planetary alignments – February 5, 1962; Recent planetary alignments – March 10, 1982; Recent planetary alignments – May 5, 2000; References; Polygraph and lie detection – References; Prayer and healing – References;
  • Reincarnation – References;
  • Séance – References; Shamans and shamanism – References; Shroud of Turin – References; Societies for psychical research – References; Spiritualism – References; Stock market pseudoscience – References; Subliminal perception and advertising – References; Sun sign astrology – Sun sign columns; Delineations; Forecasts; The Precession argument; Validity of sun signs; Newspaper disclaimers; Sun signs and self-image; Popularity revisited; Synchronicity – References;
  • Tunguska – References; Tutankhamun's curse – References;
  • UFOs – Physical barriers; UFO culture; References; Undeceiving ourselves – Undeceiving ourselves – Barriers to change; Undeceiving ourselves – Incentives to change; Undeceiving ourselves – Beliefs versus facts; Undeceiving ourselves – Being critical; Undeceiving ourselves – No information?; Undeceiving ourselves – Open minds; Undeceiving ourselves – Data snooping; Undeceiving ourselves – Hostile skeptics; Undeceiving ourselves – Different agendas; Undeceiving ourselves – Crooked arguments; Undeceiving ourselves – Being informed;
  • Witchcraft and magic – References;

Subarticles edit

  • Alien abductions - References*;
  • Alternative archaeology – The distinction between archaeology and pseudoarchaeology**; Pseudopractice**; Pseudointerpretation***; Conclusion**; References*;
    • Alternative archaeology – Pseudointerpretation – Selected and/or distorted presentation of established knowledge*; Reliance on supposed “anomalies”*; Reinterpretation of scientific artifacts or entire sites without regard for their context*; “Decoding” of traces of hidden history or advanced knowledge in ancient myths or iconography*; Substitution of speculation for traditional archaeological evidence**; Attempts to deploy the authority of nonhistorical sciences to establish historical hypotheses**; Use of innuendo to undermine the authority of academic archaeology*; Use of rhetorical tricks to mask a weak case*; Use of legal, not scientific, standards of argument*;
  • Ancient astronauts – References*;
  • Animal mutilations – References*;
  • Anomalous psychological experiences – References*;
  • Anthroposophy and anthroposophical medicine – Anthroposophical medicine*; Biodynamic agriculture (biodynamics)*; Goethean science**; References*;
  • Astrology – Early history*; Recent history*; The Basics of astrology**; Disagreement is normal*; Popularity*; Facts and feelings*; Research findings*; Hidden persuaders*; The Mars effect*; Is astrology helpful?*; Astrology's dark side*; What of the future?*; References**;
  • Attachment therapy – Techniques of AT**; Outcomes**; Theoretical background**; References**;
  • Ball lightning – References*;
  • Bermuda Triangle – References*;
  • Biorhythnms – References*;
  • Carlos Castaneda – References*;
  • Clever Hans – References*;
  • Crop circles – References*;
  • Cryptozoology – What is cryptozoology?**; Cryptids***; Cryptozoological evidence*; Successes and new species**; Creationism and the paranormal in cryptozoology*; Is cryptozoology a science?**;
    • Cryptozoology – Cryptids – Lake Monsters*; Sea serpents*; Bigfoot and similar creatures*; Living dinosaurs*; Giant octopus*; Cryptophidian*; Leguatia*;
    • Cryptozoology – Successes and new species – Okapi*; Coelacanths*; Megamouth shark*; Giant gecko*; New beaked whales*; Saola and new muntjacs*;
  • Cults – How cults recruit***; Exiting a cult**; Helping victims cope**; References*;
  • Dietary supplements – Drugs versus dietary supplements**; The Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act (DSHEA)**; Beware!**; Drug interactions*; Studies to evaluate dietary supplements as drugs**; Integrating dietary supplements into health care*; References*;
    • Dietary supplements – Beware! - A Weight lifter and creatine**; Celebrity power – the Iscador story**;
    • Dietary supplements – Studies to evaluate dietary supplements as drugs – Ephedra*; Gingko bilboa*; Glucosamine*; St. John's wort**;
  • Dowsing – References*;
  • Earthquake prediction – References*;
  • Electromagnetic fields and cell phones – Cell phones*; References*;
  • Fairies, elves, pixies, and gnomes – References*;
  • Faster-than-light travel – References*;
  • Feng shui – Chinese philosophy and naturalism*; The yin-yang school**; The Practice of Feng shui***; References*;
  • Uri Geller – The spoon bend*; Reproducing a drawing in a sealed envelope*; Restarting “broken” watches*; Testing by scientists*; Personality*; References*;
  • Handwriting analysis and graphology – References*;
  • Hypnosis – The History of hypnosis**; Hypnosis as entertainment**; The Therapeutic use of hypnosis**; Hypnosis and memory**; The Nature of hypnosis**; References*;
  • Ideomotor effect (the “ouija board” effect) – References*;
  • Laundry balls – References*;
  • Magnetic therapy – Therapeutic claims**; Research**; Marketing magnetism**; Conclusions*; References*;
    • Magnetic therapy – Research – Fixed solid magnets**; Pulsating electromagnetic field therapy**;
  • Mars face (extraterrestrial archaeology) – References*;
  • Meditation – Paranormal effects**; Extraordinary effects*; Ordinary effects*; Scientific research on meditation**; References*;
  • Multiple personality disorder – References**;
  • Near-death experiences – The State of the evidence on near-death experiences**; Explanations for the near-death experience**; Bibliography**;
    • Near-death experience – Explanations for the near-death experience – Expectation*; Administered drugs*; Endorphins*; Anoxia or hypercarbia**; Temporal lobe stimulation*; Life after death**;
  • Observer effects and observer bias – The Double-blind experiment**; Observer effects**; Facilitated communication**; Observer bias***; References*;
    • Observer effects and observer bias – Observer effects – Clever Hans**;
    • Observer effects and observer bias – Observer bias – N rays*; Patient or applicant?**; Subliminal tapes**;
  • Out-of-body experiences – References**;
  • Phrenology – References*;
  • Piltdown Man – References*;
  • Placebo effect – References*;
  • Planetary alignments – Recent planetary alignments**; How often do the planets align?**; Planetary alignments and earthquakes**; References*;
    • Planetary alignments – Recent planetary alignments – February 5, 1962*; March 10, 1982*; May 5, 2000*;
  • Polygraph and lie detection – References*;
  • Prayer and healing – References*;
  • Pseudoscience and science – References**;
  • Reincarnation – References*;
  • Séance – References*;
  • Shamans and shamanism – References*;
  • Shroud of Turin – References*;
  • Societies for psychical research – References*;
  • Spiritualism – References*;
  • Stock market pseudoscience – References*;
  • Subliminal perception and advertising – References*;
  • Sun sign astrology – Sun sign columns*; Popularity**; Delineations*; Forecasts*; The Precession argument*; Validity of sun signs*; Newspaper disclaimers*; Sun signs and self-image*; Popularity revisited*; References**;
  • Synchronicity – References*;
  • Therapeutic touch – Practicum**; Claims for healing**; Etiology and Epistemology**; History**; Research**; Eschatology**; Bibliography**;
  • Tunguska – References*;
  • Tutankhamun's curse – References*;
  • UFOs – Historical overview***; Kinds of UFO claims***; Logic of UFO arguments**; Physical barriers*; Perception and psychology**; Social psychological factors**; Organizational involvement**; UFO culture*; References*;
  • Undeceiving ourselves – Deceiving ourselves**; Effects of complexity**; Judging numbers**; Undeceiving ourselves**; Now for the bad news**; Bibliography**;
    • Undeceiving ourselves – Undeceiving ourselves – Barriers to change*; Incentives to change*; Beliefs versus facts*; Being critical*; No information?*; Open minds*; Data snooping*; Hostile skeptics*; Different agendas*; Crooked arguments*; Being informed*;
  • Witchcraft and magic – References*;