Why People Believe in Pseudoscience—and Why It’s So Dangerous
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We live in an era where information is more accessible than ever before. Paradoxically, this hasn’t made us wiser—it’s made us more vulnerable to misinformation. Pseudoscience, once confined to the fringes, now floods our social media feeds, seeps into our political discourse, and influences public health decisions.
With the rise of conspiracy theories and alternative “facts,” distinguishing between science and pseudoscience has never been more critical. While some may view pseudoscience as harmless curiosity, the reality is far more troubling: belief in pseudoscience erodes trust in expertise, fuels paranoia, and can even lead to real-world harm. Just look around you now, you can already see its effects.
Today, we take a closer look at what pseudoscience is, why people turn to it, and how we can combat its growing influence.
If you’re reading this, chances are you have an appreciation for science. Maybe you have a background in it, or maybe you’re just the kind of person who values truth and knowledge. Either way, you probably share a few core principles with other scientifically minded people:
- Facts over opinion. This doesn’t mean we’re always right, but we try to shape our opinions based on evidence rather than the other way around.
- A critical mindset. We double-check sources, question information, and remain open to correction when new evidence emerges.
- Trust in proven expertise. We understand that expertise isn’t infallible, but it’s the best tool we have. Decades of study and research cannot be replaced by a YouTube video or a Facebook post.
Now help yourself to some of this tasty text:
Now, contrast this with the mindset behind some of today’s most popular pseudoscientific beliefs:
- Climate change is a Chinese hoax designed to steal jobs. If it were truly happening, how could I hold this ball of snow up in Congress?
- As we all know, vaccines cause autism — because mercury. It doesn’t matter what the studies find.
- To round it all up (pun intended), the Earth is flat. There’s simply no other explanation to fit what so many of us have observed. Spherical planets orbiting around the Sun?! Go away with that mumbo-jumbo; that’s what the Government wants you to think, man!
Do you see a difference? At first glance, these beliefs might seem so absurd that it’s tempting to dismiss them entirely. But to an increasing number of people, these claims represent enlightenment. They’re a irrational belief, but an irrational belief shared by millions. So much so that pseudoscience is starting to shape the world.
Pseudoscience provides something that real science often doesn’t: comfort.
Science is often perceived as cold and indifferent. It seems strange to many people, and it doesn’t always tell us things we want to hear. Science tells us we should cut down on our consumption and be more careful with the environment. Pseudoscience tells you to drill baby drill. Pseudoscience, in essence, tells people what they want to hear.
- It offers certainty in an uncertain world. (“Big Pharma is hiding the cure for cancer, but I know the truth.”)
- It gives people someone to blame. (“The government is covering up free energy technology.”)
- It provides a sense of belonging. (“We are the enlightened ones who see through the lies.”)
A study published in The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories found that belief in pseudoscience often stems from a lack of control. When people feel powerless—economically, politically, or socially—they are more likely to turn to conspiracy theories as a way of making sense of the world.
And once someone goes down that rabbit hole, it’s hard to climb back out.
Content retrieved from: https://www.zmescience.com/feature-post/resources/metascience/pseudoscience-psychology-misinformation-repubz/.
