BIOS 150 7-3 PSEUDOSCIENCE REFLECTION

INTRODUCTION TO BIOS 150 7-3 PSEUDOSCIENCE REFLECTION 

BIOS 150 7-3 Pseudoscience Reflection assignment involves reflecting on the article “COVID has Created a Perfect Storm for Fringe Science” by Grimes. You will identify a pseudoscience tactic presented in the article, interpret a key phrase, reflect on motivations behind pseudoscience, and consider the impact of pseudoscience on your future career. BIOS 150 7-3 Pseudoscience Reflection assignment goal is to enhance your understanding of pseudoscience and its implications.

One particular tactic of pseudoscience that we looked at this week is presented as a main source of pseudoscience during COVID-19.  Identify what tactic this is and briefly explain your answer

IDENTIFYING A PSEUDOSCIENCE TACTIC

• Read the article carefully to identify a pseudoscience tactic used during the COVID-19 pandemic. Focus on how arguments from authority are exploited.

Example

Grimes’ article on the surge of pseudoscience during the COVID-19 pandemic pinpoints a critical tactic of pseudoscience: the exploitation of arguments from authority. Grimes highlights how ostensibly credible scientists and physicians have misused their positions to propagate unfounded claims about COVID-19, misleading the public by leveraging their perceived authority rather than robust scientific evidence. The tactic is particularly dangerous because it cloaks misleading or false claims with a veneer of credibility that can be difficult for the public to question.

The author uses the phrase “As we become curators of our own media…” What does this phrase mean to you and how do you understand it to relate to the spread of pseudoscience

INTERPRETING THE PHRASE “CURATORS OF OUR OWN MEDIA”

• Reflect on the meaning of the phrase “As we become curators of our own media” and relate it to the spread of pseudoscience. Consider how personal biases influence information sharing.

Example

Grimes’ assertion that “we become curators of our own media” reflects the contemporary challenge posed by the vast array of online information (Grimes, 2022). The phrase suggests that individuals now have the power to select and share information according to personal biases, often without the rigorous checks traditionally performed by professional gatekeepers such as editors and fact-checkers. In the context of pseudoscience, this self-curation allows for the rapid spread of misinformation as people tend to circulate information that confirms their preexisting beliefs, regardless of its factual accuracy.

Reflect on the reading as well as your own exploration of pseudoscience in this week’s Discussion Board – what do you think motivates individuals who traffic in pseudoscience to do so?

REFLECTING ON MOTIVATION BEHIND PSEUDOSCIENCE

• Reflect on the motivations that drive individuals to promote pseudoscience, based on the article and your discussion board exploration. Consider factors such as recognition, financial gain, or ideological beliefs.

Example

The motivation behind individuals who traffic in pseudoscience, as discussed in the article and observed on discussion boards, often includes a desire for recognition, financial gain, or the affirmation of ideological beliefs. These motivators are potent drivers that can lead individuals to champion pseudoscientific ideas, especially in times of crisis when uncertainty and fear make people more susceptible to believing and spreading misinformation.

Reflect on your future career – how may the impact of pseudoscience impact your ability to provide evidence-based care to a patient?  

REFLECTING ON THE IMPACT OF PSEUDOSCIENCE IN YOUR FUTURE CAREER

• Consider how pseudoscience might impact your ability to provide evidence-based care in your future healthcare career. Think about the challenges and strategies to mitigate misinformation.

Example

In my future career in healthcare, the impact of pseudoscience could significantly challenge my ability to provide evidence-based care. Misinformation can lead to patients refusing necessary treatments or demanding inappropriate or harmful ones. To mitigate this, it will be crucial to enhance patient education, promote critical thinking, and strengthen the patient-provider relationship to foster trust and ensure that healthcare decisions are informed by reliable, scientifically valid information. As healthcare professionals, we must diligently combat pseudoscience by clearly communicating evidence-based practices and explaining their rationale, helping patients make informed decisions based on accurate information. 

CLOSING

By following these guidelines for BIOS 150 7-3 Pseudoscience Reflection, you will be able to effectively reflect on the article and your understanding of pseudoscience, enhancing your critical thinking skills and preparing for professional challenges related to misinformation. In the next module of BIOS-150, we will explore the 8-2 Reflection-2

REFERENCES

Grimes, D. R. (2022, October 1). COVID Has Created a Perfect Storm for Fringe Science. Scientific American. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/covid-has-created-a-perfect-storm-for-fringe-science/