Real vs. Pop PsychologyReal vs. Pop Psychology

Ways of Knowing

• Non-Empirical– Authority– Logic

• Empirical– Intuition/Common Sense– Scientific Method

Authority

• Ask someone who should know about the area:

Ask the Surgeon General about smoking

Ask Dr. Laura about relationships

Ask Dean Ornish about diet

• However, for every “authority” who says to do it one way, you have another “authority” who says you’d be an idiot to do it that way.

Logic

• Logical premises make it possible for deduction to be reached. This is a fine place to start, but not enough to base fact upon.

• If testable, the logical method sets a foundation upon which to build hypotheses. These, however, should still be subjected to empirical testing.

Intuition/Common Sense

• Our intuition and common sense are based upon our experiences and learning history as well as an innate programming.

• While common sense may help us get through our day and avoid many pitfalls, it does not provide the basis of developing new knowledge.

The Scientific Method

• Empirical: Direct systematized observations• Objective: Unbiased, critical, doubting• Self-Correcting: Because it is objective, new data

are easily introduced and theories revised• Progressive: True science advances theory• Tentative: Questions are never presumed to be

completely answered• Parsimonious: Establishes the most

concise explanation

Assumptions of the Scientific Method

• Reality: Assume a non-existential view that the world exists

• Rationality: The world operates on reasoned principles

• Regularity: The principles that govern the world remain consistent

• Discoverability: There are answers that remain to be uncovered

• Causality: Every event has it’s cause

How do you operate on a Scientific Level?

• What do you do that plays the odds?– Driving fast– Getting an education– Going for regular physical exams– Restricting your intake of eggs

How do you operate on a Non-Scientific Level?

• What do you do that has no scientific merit behind it?– Superstitions– Getting yourself upset because

someone else “should” have done something– making attributions or judgements

about others

Mental Health Practitioners

• Clinical Psychologist• Psychiatrist• Psychiatric Nurse• Clinical Social Worker• Masters Level Counselor• Alcohol and Drug Counselor• Marriage and Family Therapist• Clinical Pastoral Counselor