[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-613779-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":74,"doc-detail-613779-en":124},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":67,"head_meta":69,"extra_data":71,"updated_unix":73},105,"en","pseudohistorical-theories-and-ancient-aliens-key-criticisms","Pseudohistorical Theories and \"Ancient Aliens\" - Key Criticisms","","Pseudohistorical theories promoted by so-called “cranks” can damage historical understanding through misinformation and misinterpretation of events, figures, and evidence, as well as by distorting established historical narratives. They may erode trust in historians and scholars, reinforce confirmation bias and echo chambers, and spread unsupported revisionist claims without peer review. Such content can also contribute to the loss of cultural heritage, distract from issues like colonialism and genocide, and create educational challenges. Media examples like “Ancient Aliens” are criticized for presenting speculation as fact, cherry-picking data, sensationalism, conspiracy framing, and misleading expert appearances, undermining credible historical and archaeological research.",{"@graph":14,"@context":66},[15,34,49],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/research-report/","Research & Report",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/pseudohistorical-theories-and-ancient-aliens-key-criticisms/613779/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"author":36,"headline":10,"publisher":39,"fileFormat":42,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":43,"datePublished":43,"encodingFormat":42,"isAccessibleForFree":44,"interactionStatistic":45},"DigitalDocument",{"name":37,"@type":38},"acoobca","Person",{"url":19,"name":40,"@type":41},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-10-19",true,{"@type":46,"interactionType":47,"userInteractionCount":4},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":48},"ViewAction",{"@type":50,"mainEntity":51},"FAQPage",[52,58,62],{"name":53,"@type":54,"acceptedAnswer":55},"What is confirmation bias in the context of pseudohistorical theories?","Question",{"text":56,"@type":57},"Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to seek out and accept information that supports a preconceived belief while rejecting evidence that contradicts it.","Answer",{"name":59,"@type":54,"acceptedAnswer":60},"What does “cherry-picking data” mean?",{"text":61,"@type":57},"Cherry-picking data means selecting only the information that fits a theory and ignoring or dismissing contradictory evidence.",{"name":63,"@type":54,"acceptedAnswer":64},"Why are crank theories often popular?",{"text":65,"@type":57},"The document links popularity to how these theories can be reinforced by confirmation bias and echo chambers, and how they may present claims in ways that discourage critical examination and peer-reviewed scrutiny.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":68,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":40,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":70,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":72,"site_id":7},613779,1792386271,{"code":4,"msg":75,"data":76},"success",[77,81,85,89,94,99,104,108,113,116,120],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":78,"show_sort_weight":79,"slug":80},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":82,"show_sort_weight":83,"slug":84},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":86,"show_sort_weight":87,"slug":88},"Exam",70,"exam",{"id":90,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":91,"show_sort_weight":92,"slug":93},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":95,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":96,"show_sort_weight":97,"slug":98},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":100,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":101,"show_sort_weight":102,"slug":103},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":105,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":106,"slug":107},8,30,"research-report",{"id":109,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":110,"show_sort_weight":111,"slug":112},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":111,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":114,"show_sort_weight":111,"slug":115},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":117,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":118,"show_sort_weight":117,"slug":119},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":121,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":122,"show_sort_weight":90,"slug":123},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":75,"data":125},{"doc_id":72,"user_id":126,"nickname":37,"user_avatar":127,"doc_module":4,"category_id":105,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":128,"file_id":129,"file_url":130,"file_type":131,"file_size":132,"view_count":4,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":26,"language":133,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":134,"faqs":135,"seo_title":136,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":73,"read_time":90},3985747870733,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_a8503ba1806abce46bf441b54a3ca4cd","The pseudohistorical theories promoted by individuals often referred to as \"cranks\" can harm historical knowledge in several ways.  \nMisinformation and Misinterpretation: Pseudohistorical theories often involve the misinterpretation of historical events, figures, or evidence. When people accept these theories as factual, they form an inaccurate understanding of the past.  \nDistortion of Historical Narratives: Crank theories can distort or rewrite established historical narratives. This distortion can have significant consequences, especially when it pertains to sensitive or contentious historical events.  \nUndermining Trust in Expertise: Pseudohistorical theories can erode trust in experts and scholars who have dedicated their lives to studying and interpreting history. This distrust can discourage people from seeking accurate historical knowledge.  \nConfirmation Bias: Individuals who are inclined to believe in pseudohistorical theories may fall prey to confirmation bias, actively seeking out and accepting information that supports their preconceived notions while rejecting valid evidence to the contrary.  \nCreation of Echo Chambers: Crank theories often circulate within closed communities or echo chambers where dissenting viewpoints are discouraged or dismissed. This reinforces the spread of misinformation and inhibits open debate.  \nRevisionist Histories: Some pseudohistorical theories arepresented as \"revisionist\" histories, but they often lack the rigorous research, peer review, and scholarly scrutiny required to legitimately revise historical understanding.  \nLoss of Cultural and Historical Heritage: By promoting  \nalternative histories based on pseudoscientific claims, crank theories can lead to the neglect or erasure of genuine cultural and historical heritage. This is particularly concerning when it comes to the heritage of marginalized or Indigenous communities.  \nObfuscation of Key Issues: Pseudohistorical theories can divert attention and resources away from addressing pressing historical issues such as colonialism, racism, genocide, or human rights abuses by promoting distracting or irrelevant claims.  \nEducational Challenges: When pseudohistorical ideas gain prominence or are taught in educational settings, they can hinder students' ability to develop critical thinking skills and discern reliable sources of historical information.  \nLegacy of Disinformation: Pseudohistorical theories often leave a legacy of disinformation that continues to circulate online and in popular culture, perpetuating misconceptions about history.  \nIt's important for individuals to critically evaluate historical claims, seek information from reputable sources, and engage with scholarly research when studying history. While alternative perspectives can be  \nvaluable, they should be grounded in evidence and subject to rigorous scrutiny to contribute to a deeper and more accurate understanding of the past.  \nShows like Ancient Aliens have faced criticism from scholars and experts for several reasons, and many argue that they undermine legitimate history in the following ways.  \nPseudoscience and Speculation: Ancient Aliens often presents speculative and pseudoscientific claims as if they were established facts. This can mislead viewers and create a false impression of historical events.  \nMisrepresentation of Evidence: The show has been accused of misrepresenting archaeological and historical evidence to fit its narrative. This can distort the true context and significance of artifacts and sites.  \nCherry-Picking Data: Ancient Aliens tends to cherry-pick information that supports its theories while ignoring or dismissing contradictory evidence. This selective approach can present a biased and inaccurate view of history.  \nLack of Peer Review: In academia, historical and archaeological research undergoes peer review by experts in the field to ensure accuracy and reliability. Ancient Aliens bypasses this rigorous process, leading to unchecked ","cbCair50EPtHIOHz","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCair50EPtHIOHz","pdf",222363,"English","# Overview of pseudohistorical claims\n## How pseudohistorical theories harm historical knowledge\n## Criticisms of “Ancient Aliens”\n## Reflection and skepticism\n# Key questions","[{\"question\":\"What is confirmation bias in the context of pseudohistorical theories?\",\"answer\":\"Confirmation bias refers to the tendency to seek out and accept information that supports a preconceived belief while rejecting evidence that contradicts it.\"},{\"question\":\"What does “cherry-picking data” mean?\",\"answer\":\"Cherry-picking data means selecting only the information that fits a theory and ignoring or dismissing contradictory evidence.\"},{\"question\":\"Why are crank theories often popular?\",\"answer\":\"The document links popularity to how these theories can be reinforced by confirmation bias and echo chambers, and how they may present claims in ways that discourage critical examination and peer-reviewed scrutiny.\"}]","Pseudohistorical Theories and \"Ancient Aliens\" - Key Criticisms | PDF"]