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Motivation, cognition and pseudoscience

M Lindeman1

  • 1Department of Psychology, Applied Division, University of Helsinki, Finland.

Scandinavian Journal of Psychology
|January 12, 1999
PubMed
Summary

This study introduces a framework explaining pseudoscientific beliefs as a mix of social motives and intuitive thinking. It explores how these influence self-understanding, event comprehension, and health control through examples like astrology and alternative medicine.

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Area of Science:

  • Psychology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Sociology

Background:

  • Pseudoscientific beliefs are widespread.
  • Understanding the cognitive and social underpinnings of these beliefs is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To propose a framework linking basic social motives and information processing to pseudoscientific beliefs.
  • To illustrate this framework with examples of self-comprehension, event comprehension, and health control.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual framework development.
  • Analysis of existing literature and case examples.

Main Results:

  • Pseudoscientific beliefs arise from the interaction between fundamental social motives (e.g., need for comprehension, control) and experiential (intuitive) thinking.
  • Examples demonstrate how astrology, graphology, and alternative medicine fulfill these motives.

Conclusions:

  • The proposed framework offers a unified explanation for various pseudoscientific beliefs.
  • Understanding the interplay of social motives and cognitive processes is key to addressing pseudoscientific thinking.

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