General Psychology 201 Introduction and Research Methods

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1 General Psychology 201 Introduction and Research Methods Introduction: The Origins of Psychology The influence of philosophy (Aristotle and Descartes) The influence of physiology William Wundt: The founder of psychology Edward B. Titchener: Structuralism William James: Functionalism Psychoanalysis: Sigmund Freud Behaviorism: (Pavlov, J.B. Watson, B.F. Skinner) Humanistic Psychology: (Rogers, Maslow) Contemporary Psychology The Major Perspectives Specialty Areas in Psychology A Scientific Method: What is critical thinking? The steps in the scientific method Research Methods Descriptive Methods: Naturalistic observations Case studies Surveys Correlational studies Research Methods Experimental Methods: Do violent games increase aggressive behavior? Structure of an experimental method Variations of an experimental design Limitations of experiments What is a Pseudoscience? Ethics in Psychological Research Application: Evaluating Mass Media Reports about Psychology Statistics (Appendix A): LP 1A: Intro 1

2 LP 1B: Pseudoscience 2 What is a Science? Content: Process: Occupation: A body of scientific knowledge in disciplines such as physics chemistry metallurgy geology biology psychology medicine or astronomy. Scientific claims need to be falsifiable and empirically testable. Scientific knowledge should be consistent with what is known (unified). A method for systematically investigating and testing claims or beliefs about nature. Individuals who practices, applies or studies the sciences.

3 LP 1B: Pseudoscience 3 A scientific hypothesis or claim meet the following criteria (1) The hypothesis or claim must be falsifiable and testable. There must have criteria to tell if your claim is likely to be true or likely to be false through an experiment and/or the collection of data and evidence. Usually the hypothesis is fairly precise and operational definitions are provided and not described in general terms. Just because a question is not testable (what is the meaning of life), and hence not a scientific one, does not necessarily mean it isn t important. (2) Extraordinary beliefs require extraordinary evidence. Extraordinary is defined by empirical data accepted by the scientific community. This become problematic when the general community (not the scientific community) acquires questionable beliefs that have not undergone scientific scrutiny, or the scientific scrutiny has been ignored, casually dismissed, or undergone the peer review process. (3) The burden of proof of a hypothesis is on the person making the claim before should be accepted by the scientific community. It is not the skeptic s job to provide proof that a hypothesis is false a claim is not to be accepted solely based on the fact that skeptics cannot prove it wrong, the person making the claim must provide the evidence first. Only then, skeptics need to provide evidence illustrating the claim is false.

4 LP 1B: Pseudoscience 4 What is a Pseudoscience? A fake or false science that make claims based on little or no scientific evidence. A theory, method or practice that promote claims in a way that appear to be scientific or plausible even though supporting evidence is lacking or nonexistent. These fake sciences appear to be a science and do not go through a rigorous process of testing their claims. For discussion of pseudoscience topics visit the Skeptical Inquirer at The following are examples of pseudosciences discussed in your textbook (see p. xxiii): Phrenology Subliminal perception Iridology Biorhythms (versus the science of circadian rhythms) Recovered memory therapy Subliminal self-help tapes Astrology (astrology is different from astronomy) Graphology

5 LP 1B: Pseudoscience 5 Other pseudoscientific topics and claims: Water dowsing Psychic readings/psychic networks, Palm reading UFO s (alien abductions, Roswell, and crop circles) ESP (psychokinetics and telepathy) Bigfoot, Lochness monster, Yeti (cryptozoology) Firewalking Faith healing Spontaneous human combustion Poltergeists/Exorcists Backward Satanic messages Cattle mutilations Shroud of Turin Shark cartilage therapies Bermuda triangle Magnetic therapy (there is very weak evidence to support it) As with any claim, whether scientific or not, we should ask ourselves: Is the claim true? If so, why does it work? Is it due to perception, belief, or a real effect? What is the quality of the evidence?

6 Some Key Similarities and Difference Between Science and Pseudosciences LP 1B: Pseudoscience 6 Admits own ignorance; accepts need for more research Advances knowledge by posing and solving new problems Welcomes new hypotheses and methods Theories and hypotheses are testable Systematically tests concepts by gathering data Looks for examples that contradicts its beliefs Applies objective checking procedures Settles disputes by experimentation or systematic data collection Suppresses or distorts unfavorable data Science * Pseudoscience * sometimes Seeks criticism from others * these are not absolute yes or now, but in generally, are a yes or no

7 LP 1B: Pseudoscience 7 What are the similarities between a science and pseudoscience? Uses scientific sounding language Uses charts and graphs to communicate their discipline. Has formal training procedures for learning their discipline Uses analogies and common sense to communicate the findings in the sciences Science Pseudoscience Sometimes

8 LP 1B: Pseudoscience 8 How are the pseudosciences sold to the public (why do many people accept the pseudosciences without evidence)? Pseudoscientific claims that are repeated often just sound true (eg. 10% brain myth or exorcist myth). The line between television news and television entertainment is blurry. Television omission of information Proponents of pseudosciences only give you partial information (eg. the U.S. military had information that Pearl Harbor was planned to be attacked). The appeal is to the emotions (such as fear), and not logic The use of scientific sounding language (eg. pyrotron) The use of vague references such as leading researchers or clinical studies (eg. research in a leading medical journal indicates that 8/10 people take food supplements to live longer) The use of poor logic goes unchallenged on television or in the mainstream media. They use charismatic and telegenic speakers.

9 LP 1B: Pseudoscience 9 Politics Speeding up the approval process that the FDA uses to approve drugs will help get effective drugs to market faster, thus helping the consumer. Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson claims that smoking marijuana leads to harder drugs because those who use hard drugs also use marijuana. Politicians, including Senator Ron Wyden says that NAFTA was a good policy because of the jobs it created.

Science vs. Pseudoscience C H 1

Science vs. Pseudoscience C H 1 Popular psychology topics: myth or real Most people use only 10% of their brain Expressing anger is better than holding it in Opposites attract in relationships High self-esteem