JoinFavorite Demonstration: Practical Skeptical Thinking
Gallup polls consistently indicate that substantial percentages of adult Americans harbor paranormal beliefs (Gallup and Newport 1991; Gallup 1997). A key to helping students apply the habits of mind used in science class is to model the processes of scientific reasoning, especially the concepts of logic and evidence, using familiar situations. The prevalence of paranormalism in pop culture provides this opportunity. With the exercises described in this article, teachers can engage students in the process of “practical skeptical thinking” and thereby help to reduce the appalling credulity that afflicts our citizenry.