Psychology and science: 6 keys to identify pseudoscientific products
Don't be fooled by pseudoscientific products: here is the definitive guide to detect them.
Science is a lighthouse in the fog of the noise of chance.
-Nassim Taleb
Surely, when you browse through the "information monster", the internet, you may have noticed that when you search for topics related to psychology or other sciences, various documents related to things like psychoanalysis, aromatherapy, constellations, psychomagic, conspiracy theories... jump out at you... and that, of course, people who know nothing about psychology, science, lack common sense and even professionals and students in training fall into the nets of the tempting "pseudoscience"..
For this reason and to clear up doubts on this matter, I have decided to publish this article on some tips and definitions that will help us to determine what to trust and what not to trust.
In search of reliable sources of information
To begin with, I would like to mention the work of the American philosopher Charles Sanders Pierce in classifying four methods of fixing beliefs[1]. The first of these is the authority methodin which the simplest way to fix a belief is to believe blindly in the word of a person without questioning it; an example could be the fixation of religious beliefs.
The second method is that of tenacityThis consists of clinging to a stereotype, even in the presence of a good counterexample; this method is observed in fanatical racists.
The third is the a priori method it refers to a belief in which no reference or analysis is made to accept it. Finally, there remains the method that is the only valid form of accepted knowledge, the scientific method (Kantowitz, RoedigerIII, & Elmes, 2011; Kerlinger & Lee, 2002) which is defined as a serial process by which the sciences obtain answers to their questions (McGuigan, 2011), and which has the characteristic of self-correction and thus "has intrinsic checkpoints along the entire path of scientific knowledge. These checks are designed and used in such a way that they direct and verify scientific activities and conclusions in order to be relied upon..." (Kerlinger & Lee, 2002).
Keys to detect pseudoscientific texts or articles
Having clarified the ways in which we fix our beliefs about something, we can say that there are some theories that are "disguised" as science when they are not, but how to avoid them?
The following will be given a list of some tips to avoid falling into the trap of some charlatans of some charlatans:
Make sure the source is reliable 2.
Check that what you are reading or consuming through any media has valid and reliable media has valid and reliable sources of consultation.. For example, articles peer reviewed published in indexed scientific journals (since for an article to be published it has to go through several validity and reliability processes), quotes from important people in the scientific field...
2. Get rid of confirmation bias
Do not fall into confirmation bias. Do not believe everything you think, what the other thinks, moreover, better not to believe and question everything. People, by psychological principles always seek to confirm our ideas (Gazzaniga, Heatherton, & Halpern, 2016).
3. Trust numbers more than beliefs.
Think by focusing on the statistical data, rather than intuitively or based on your own experience. Reality is much broader than what one lives or thinks one perceives. Many times we put aside logical reasoning to pay more attention to what common sense dictates.
4. Remember: not all factors are easily explained.
Not everything has a meaning or easily identifiable causes that can be reduced to a simple statement such as "homosexuality is caused by childhood abuse". In fact, all phenomena are multi-causal, all phenomena are multi-causalHowever, certain variables are more important than others and their study makes it possible to better predict what will happen.
5. Validity
Remember that science, in order to be able to call itself that, has to meet certain criteria, one of which is validity, which is the degree to which validity, which is the degree to which something, an instrument or method actually measures the variable it seeks to measure.
6. Reliability
This concept is, together with the previous one, very important and refers to the degree to which a measurement instrument or therapy method refers to the degree to which a measurement instrument or method of therapy... produces consistent and coherent results. and coherent results.
In conclusion, remember, the next time you consume any product of "true psychology", which is the scientific study of the mind, brain and behavior, keep in mind all these tips and avoid being fooled by charlatans. Every product, in the media, on the internet or on TV, place it under the microscope of science., look for articles that meet strict publication criteria and reliable sources and avoid being misled.
Bibliographical references:
- Gazzaniga, M. S., Heatherton, T. F., & Halpern, D. F. (2016). Psychological Science. United States of America: W.W.NORTON.
- Kantowitz, B. H., RoedigerIII, H. L., & Elmes, D. G. (2011). Experimental psychology. Mexico: CENGAGE Learning.
- Kerlinger, F. N., & Lee, H. B. (2002). Behavioral research. Mexico: McGrawHill.
- McGuigan, F. J. (2011). Experimental psychology. Mexico: Trillas.
[1] For more information on the four methods see references in Barry H. Kantowitz's Experimental Psychology, pp. 6-8 and Fred N. Kerlinger's Behavioral Research. pp. 6-7.
(Updated at Apr 14 / 2024)