Skepticism 101

WELCOME TO SKEPTICISM 101! The Skeptical Studies Curriculum Resource Center

THE SKEPTICAL STUDIES CURRICULUM RESOURCE CENTER is a comprehensive, free repository of resources for teaching students how to think skeptically. This Center contains an ever-growing selection of books, reading lists, course syllabi, in-class exercises, PowerPoint presentations, student projects, papers, and videos that you may download and use in your own classes. Lessons in these resources include:

• what science is, how it differs from pseudoscience, and why it matters
• the scientific method and how to use it to investigate and conduct skeptical analyses of extraordinary claims
• how to construct effective arguments and rhetorical strategies
• how to effectively use presentations and papers to present an argument
• reason, logic, and skeptical analysis
• the psychology of belief
• how ideas are presented within academia
• how peer review works
• and much more…

Skeptic » Skepticism 101 » Welcome to Skepticism 101! The Skeptical Studies Curriculum Resource Center:

Psych 101: Controlling This Tendency Will Make You Happier and More Productive

By STELLA

Your coworker is late. You’re angry. “He’s always late!” you say to yourself. Instead of thinking of the myriad of external sources that could potentially explain his tardiness, you default to the fact that he is always late. Does this sound familiar?
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Communicating Science: The Difference Between Science and Common Sense

"One of the strongest features of science is that it can correct our seriously flawed cognition and give us an unfiltered view of reality. Most people put a lot of faith into relying on common sense and intuition, but as any psychologist will tell you, this faith is misplaced."
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The Twelve Reasons I Don’t Believe in Supernatural Claims, Part I

What a great collection of arguments against believing in nonsense.

"The Twelve Reasons I Don’t Believe in Supernatural Claims, Part I"

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The Twelve Reasons I Don’t Believe in Supernatural Claims, Part 2

The Twelve Reasons I Don’t Believe in Supernatural Claims, Part II
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Thinking Scientifically « Science-Based Life

"Why Do We Need Science?

Humans are poor data gathering machines. We have numerous biases, cognitive flaws, and psychological errors that prevent our unguided minds from grasping reality in any accurate way."
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Reflections from the Other Side: Why Believers Think Prayer Works

"Christians believe that their pleas to God have a tangible effect on the real world. Why do they believe this if it isn't true (aside from the obvious answer of "their religion says so")? Even Christians themselves should be curious about the underlying reasons for belief in prayer—after all, people of other faiths think prayers to their gods are effective as well. In fact, there are quite a few reasons, all of which are quite fascinating."

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