Investigating Pop Psychology: Pseudoscience, Fringe Science, and Controversies

Investigating Pop Psychology provides the basic tools required to make evidence-informed decisions and thoughtfully distinguish science from pseudoscience through the application of scientific skepticism.

Psychologists conduct scientific investigations into a lot of strange things including alien encounters, horoscopes, dream interpretation, superstition, and extrasensory perception (ESP). Through a digestible, open-minded format combined with relevant and topical case studies such as energy psychology, demonic possession, and horoscopes, this book offers an engaging read which encourages students to think critically about the information they are exposed to during their academic careers and beyond. By taking a fresh look into investigations regarding pseudoscience and fringe science in pop psychology, it celebrates the science of psychology while also providing warnings about the problem of pseudoscience in pop psychology.

Providing tips on how to consider evidence regarding the strength of claims in pop psychology, Investigating Pop Psychology is an ideal resource for undergraduate introductory psychology students and for students studying science and pseudoscience.

Stephen Hupp, PhD, is a Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (SIUE) in the United States. In 2015, he won the Great Teacher Award from the SIUE Alumni Association. He has published several books including Pseudoscience in Therapy and Dr. Huckleberry’s True or Malarkey? Superhuman Abilities.

Richard Wiseman, PhD, is a Social Psychologist and Professor of the Public Understanding of Psychology at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has published over 100 academic papers, written several best-selling psychology books (including The Luck Factor and 59 Seconds) and created psychology-based YouTube videos that have attracted over 500 million views.