To complete the discussion process you will need to make a response to TWO of y

To complete the discussion process you will need to make a response to TWO of
your classmates’ posts. Your responses need to also be substantial (not less than 150 words) and NOT one liners
stating that you agree, disagree, or “like their post”. You need to expand upon your opinion with supporting
material and specifics. Again, this expansion could come from a source other than your textbook, you just need to
tell us where you got that information; be specific include your reference!
THE DISCUSSION QUESTION SHOULD BE 300 WORDS AND THE 2 RESPONSES SHOULD BE 150 WORDS FOR EACH QUESTION PLEASE
THE FIRST RESPONSE TO RESPOND TO: LUKE
Astrology is a known pseudoscience that has no scientific backing or validity. The first characteristic listed in “Critical Thinking In Psychology”, Outward Appearance of Science, explains that pseudosciences use vague and illegitimate language to describe its stance (Ruscio, p. 6). An astrologer stating that the ‘universe’ is to blame for one’s hardships or triumphs is as baseless as saying the moon is made of cheese. Along with being extremely personal experience based there is little to no empirical data shown that the stars dictate one’s life. The ninth pseudoscience characteristic, Promising the Impossible, states that science has limitations based on technological advancement and natural phenomenon. However, pseudoscience has no limitations and “often profits by making grandiose promises that it cannot fulfill” (Ruscio, p. 9). There are many inconsistencies with astrology. Two completely different views cannot be the truth in proper scientific thought. The astrological signs are based on the seasons however, in the Southern Hemisphere, “some astrologers reverse their order” (Ruscio, p. 9). Using two different premises makes this ideology unreliable.
          Shawn Carlos, a researcher from the University of California conducted a double blind study, a study where neither the subjects nor the experimenters know their role in the experiment, in order to determine the legitimacy of astrologers having an “ability to interpret personality from astrological readings” (Duncan). Thirty highly regarded American and European astrologists were contacted to conduct this experiment. There was no face to face contact amongst the astrologers and test subjects. The astrologers were given “three anonymous personality profiles” and had to match the proper personality to the right subject through personality traits alone. The astrologers and were successful in choosing the right profile only one third of the time. This is the same outcome as it being completely up to chance. Therefore, proving the astrologers had no real talent or ability to read the moon and stars.
https://casa.colorado.edu/~dduncan/pseudoscience/Skeptical%20Astrology.htm
THE SECOND RESPONSE TO RESPOND TO: JORDAN
  In chapter 1 of the textbook we learned about critical thinking and pseudoscience. Science has been, and will continue to be apart of so many things we encounter daily, including psychology. The textbook states, “Pseudoscience, on the other hand, lacks the fundamental respect for research evidence that is the hallmark of any true science. It masquerades as science to garner respectability without delivering the observable results of a true science” (Ruscio, 2006, p.6). We also learned in this chapter that the line between science and pseudoscience is not always easy to identify.
A pseudoscience that I am familiar with is acupuncture, which is a form of alternative medicine where needles are placed into the body to treat different health problems. Although I have never done acupuncture, I am familiar with it. I wouldn’t say I believe and support it, but I also wouldn’t say I am entirely against it. Many people practice acupuncture for an alternative when other treatments are not working. This is considered to be a pseudoscience because this practice and theory cannot be backed up by science. Acupuncture comes from traditional Chinese medicine and has been practiced for years and years.
  This chapter provided us with 10 different characteristics of pseudoscience, but in this discussion we will only be discussing 3 that can be used when talking about acupuncture. The first characteristic of pseudoscience is that it “retreats to the supernatural”. The textbook states,” Supernatural explanations that are unconnected with observable reality do not deliver on promises of experienced, verifiable benefits; instead, they shift the standards of evidence and allow practitioners to further evade reasonable tests” (Ruscio, 2006, p.8). After years of research and many trials, acupuncture cannot be backed up by science. “Appeals to authority” is another characteristic of pseudoscience that can be used when talking about acupuncture. This means that when there is no data to back up what is being said, “…practitioners urge others to believe in their practices based on their say-so” (Ruscio, 2006, p.9). Another characteristic is, “Outward appearance of science” which basically means that these pseudoscientists are using language that seems to be scientific and professional, even though there is no valuable substance behind it. This allows pseudoscientists to gain credibility and trust without following the “rigorous procedures that gained public trust of science in the first place” (Ruscio, 2006, p. 7). There are many different examples of pseudoscience that many of us are familiar with or have heard of in the past, I was just never educated on this topic to fully understand it.
                                                                                                      Reference
Ruscio, J. (2006). Critical Thinking in Psychology (2nd ed).