Health Superstitions And other Quacky Ideas

Purpose: To understand that there are many false beliefs about health issues

Materials

• science journal
• markers
• graph paper (optional)

Procedure

1. Using the statements below, conduct a survey of 10-15 people of various ages asking them to answer true of false. Record tally marks for their answers in the chart below.
2. Compile your data and create a graph to visually display your results.
3. Share your results with your class or group.
4. As a class compile all data and create a class graph.

 

Conclusion

1. How do you think superstitions get started?
2. Why do people believe in superstitions?

Extension

A quack is often thought of as a person who falsely promotes medical products or services. Throughout our history there have always been “quacks” selling the public things that would never work such as oil that can cure cancer. Some products are based on partial truths and reference false authorities or have testimonials from “cured” people. Discuss in your group or as a class what items you have seen advertised that might not be totally truthful. Come up with your own quack device and construct a model. Design a full-page advertisement for a magazine or newspaper. Prepare a one-minute television commercial or a five-minute infomercial. Present your ad and commercial to the class. Discuss how quacks can originate superstitions.