Thinking Critically About Psychology (or Anything Else)

Steps to help you assess the claims that others make and

make judgments that are based on good evidence

 

 

 

Ask yourself the following questions:

 

1.    What am I being asked to believe or accept?

 

2.    What evidence is available to support the assertion?

 

3.    Are there alternative ways to interpret the evidence?

 

4.    What additional evidence would help to evaluate the alternatives?

 

5.    What conclusions are most reasonable?                                   (Bernstein, 1997)

 

Additional Suggestions:

 

Be skeptical.

Check to see if key terms defined.

Determine if there was a control group.

Consider the source (expertise? reliability? bias?)

Remember that correlation does not imply causation.

Beware of solely anecdotal "evidence".  Testimonials or individual examples do not constitute proof

Distinguish between observation (data) and inference (personal conclusions drawn).

Can the finding be replicated by, others?

Beware of oversimplification and over-generalization- beware of those with vested interests.

Make judgments based on the preponderance of the evidence.

Recognize that in the future you may have to re-evaluate previous conclusions as new evidence becomes available.

Be a critical thinker in all areas of your life.

 

 

Watch out for:   

 

Detect propaganda techniques.  Propaganda techniques are designed to persuade through methods other than critical thinking.  Generally, the appeal is to emotions rather than reason.  Listed below are a few of the major propaganda techniques.

 

THE NAME-CALLING DEVICE: Appeals to hate and fear by labeling the source with "bad names" to draw attention away from the evidence.

                                  Examples:       "manipulator," "crazy,' "deceitful."

 

GLIT'RERING GENERALITIES: Appeals to emotions through using "good words" to draw attention away from the ideas and evidence.

                                    Examples: "dramatic evidence,""conclusive,""the best,"'the most irnportant."

 

TESTIMONIAL- The reader is asked to accept uncritically a position because someone important believes the position

                                    Example: "Dr.Knower, an expert on psychology, says that...."

 

CARD STACKING.  Half truths, false evidence, selective citing of evidence, and distortion are used to confuse the issue and have the reader accept the writer's view.

                                    Example: Note writers who present only evidence that supports their view.

 

THE BANDWAGON: 'The reader is asked to uncritically accept something since everyone else has.

"Everyone agrees that college students are overly concerned about making money.'