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Running head: DOES PSYCHOLOGY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

Article: Does Psychology Make a Significant Difference in Our Lives? By Philip G. Zimbardo

Psyc 290 Journal Article Critique #1

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DOES PSYCHOLOGY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

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1. Research Question or Problem The research question was clearly stated on page 339. The article provided a series of examples demonstrating psychologies numerous applications and the extent to which psychology has measurably improved people’s lives and impacted society for the better. 2. Introduction In the introduction, the author stated the importance of psychology being socially accountable in order to increase the scope of psychologies potential applications and to reach a broader audience (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 339). Eleven sources were cited in the introduction and an abstract was included referring the reader to the psychologymatters.org website which aims to document the many applications for psychological research, its theories and methodologies (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 339). The author has attempted to show that psychology had become more socially relevant to the general populous since former American Psychological Association (APA) president, George Miller announced in his presidential address that it was time “to give psychology away to the public” (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 340). This was a call to action which the author believed needed to be answered more decisively for psychologies real-world applications to become more far reaching (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 340). 3. Methodology The author used basic research techniques, collecting a sampling of evidence to demonstrate the significant impacts psychology has made in improving lives. The evidence had been categorized into psychologies fundamental contributions, with a well cited analysis regarding the progression of each respective category. Examples of cited works included Freud’s pioneering

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work in the field of psychological therapy and the efficacy of “talk therapy”, and Christina Maslach’s work on psychological stress (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 342). For each of his eleven fundamental contributions paragraphs, the author included an average of five varied, high quality citations. The examination of psychologies fundamental contributions was followed by an analysis of various social institutions as well as specific applications, which the author alleged had benefited from psychologies real-world relevance. 4. Results The results were clearly stated and understandable as the author had given a convincing breakdown of psychologies social impacts and benefits. The editor’s note included on page 339 explained that the article was based on the authors APA presidential address and as such, did not include any tables or graphs. The author drew the readers attention to the resource website psychologymatters.org for an extensive overview of the far-reaching impacts resulting from psychological research (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 344). 5. Discussion The author suggested that psychologists could benefit from media collaboration in the hope of creating entertaining stories that could make a significant positive change in the quality of peoples lives (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 348). The author went on to highlight Positive Psychology and Behavioural Economics as two exciting directions for psychology, which could benefit from media and technological collaborations (Zimbardo, 2004, p. 348). 6. List of References

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The format used in listing references was consistent, and all references given were cited in the article. The author cited a variety of sources, although the list of references from the authors own work as well as work the author had collaborated on was significant. 7. Personal Reaction The author suggested that it is time to focus away from experimental psychology and instead make efforts to speak a language understood by the general public (Zimbardo, 2004, pp. 341). The desirability of the authors intended results was questionable, with the rise of pop-psychology blurring the lines between the results of psychologist’s research and sensationalised pseudopsychology. A major conclusion expressed in the article was the need to utilize more youth focussed media outlets. The author doesn’t address problems arising from how accurately the media may portray results from psychological research and experiments or whether it was in fact a problem that an article in a teen magazine may have a broader impact than a detailed journal article.

DOES PSYCHOLOGY MAKE A DIFFERENCE?

References Zimbardo, P. G. (2004). Does psychology make a significant difference in our lives? American Psychologist, 59(5), 339-351. doi:10.1037/0003-066X.59.5.339

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