The 6 keys to identifying pseudoscientific products
Science is a beacon in the mist of random noise
—Nassim Taleb
Surely, when they navigate through the "information monster", the internet, they will have realized that when they search topics related to psychology or other sciences always jump to view various documents related to things like psychoanalysis, aromatherapy, constellations, psychomagic, conspiracy theories... and that, of course, people who do not know nothing about psychology, science, they lack common sense and even professionals and students in training they 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 determine what to trust and what not to trust.
In search of reliable sources of information
To begin, I want to mention the work of the American philosopher Charles Sanders Pierce in classifying four methods of fixing beliefs [1]. The first of it is the authority method, in which the simplest way to fix a belief is to blindly believe a person's word without questioning it; an example could be the fixation of religious beliefs.
The second method is tenacityThis consists of holding on 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 refers to a belief in which no reference or analysis is made to accept it. Finally, there is 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 that has the characteristic of self-correction and therefore "has intrinsic checkpoints along the entire path of knowledge scientific. These controls are designed and used in such a way as to direct and verify scientific activities and conclusions so that they can be depended on… "(Kerlinger & Lee, 2002).
Keys to detect pseudoscientific texts or articles
Having clarified the ways in which we fix our beliefs regarding something, we can say that there are some theories that "disguise" themselves as science when they are not, but how can we avoid them?
Next it will be given a list of some tips to avoid falling into the trap from some charlatans:
1. Make sure the source is reliable
Check that what you are reading or consuming by some means of communication 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 pass by various processes of validity and reliability), quotes from important people in the scientific field ...
2. Get rid of confirmation bias
Don't fall for a confirmation bias. Do not believe everything you think, what the other thinks, is more, better not 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 focusing on statistical data, rather than intuitively or based on your own experience. The reality is much broader than what one lives or believes to perceive. Many times we put logical reasoning aside to pay more attention to what common sense dictates.
4. Remember: not all factors are easily explained
Not everything has an easily identifiable meaning or causes that can be reduced to a simple statement of the type "homosexuality is caused by abuse in childhood." Actually, all phenomena are multi-causalAlthough certain variables are more important than others and their study allows us to better predict what will happen.
5. Validity
Remember that science, to be able to call itself that, has to meet certain criteria and one of them is the validity, which is the degree to which something, an instrument or method actually measures the variable that it seeks to measure.
6. Reliability
This concept is, together with the previous one, very important and refers to the degree to which a measuring instrument or method of therapy... produces produces consistent results and consistent.
In conclusion, remember, the next time you consume some product of "true psychology", which just to remember is the scientific study of the mind, brain and behavior, take into account all these tips and avoid being misled by charlatans. Any product, in the media, on the internet or on television, put it under the science microscopeLook for articles that meet strict publication criteria and reliable sources and avoid being misled.
Bibliographic 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: Threshing.
[1] For more information on the four methods, consult the references of Experimental Psychology by Barry H. Kantowitz, pp. 6-8 and Behavioral Research by Fred N. Kerlinger. P. 6-7.
