Pseudopsychologies AND Anomalistic Psychology PDF

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PSEUDOPSYCHOLOGIES

AND

ANOMALISTIC

PSYCHOLOGY

What is a pseudopsychology?

“Pseudo”

means

“false

or

not

true”

Any unfounded system that resembles psychology .

Many pesudopsychologies give the appearance of a science but they are actually false

Pseudopsychologies change little over time because followers seek evidence that appears to confirm their beliefs and avoid evidence that contradicts them.

Scientists, in contrast, actively look for contradictions as a way to advance knowledge.

They are sceptical critics of their own theories.

Phrenology

It was popularised in the 19th century by Franz Gall

It claimed that personality traits are revealed by the shape of the skull

Palmistry Palmistry is a practice originating in the Far East

Similar false system that claims that lines on the hand reveal personality traits and predict the future

Graphology

Personality traits are revealed by handwriting

Graphology analysis Size

Letter-word slope Line slope Spacing

Astrology

Astrology holds that the position of the stars and planets at the time of your birth determines personality trait and affects behaviour

Like other pseudopsychologies, astrology has repeatedly been shown to have no scientific validity

Coon and Mitterer (2011) describe several studies that object to astrology

3,000 predictions by famous predictions Only a small percentage were fulfilled They tended to be vague

If astrologers are asked to match people with their horoscopes, they do no do better than expected by chance

There is no connection between star signs and intelligence or personality traits

No connection with the compatibility of couples or with leadership or career choices

WHY DOES ASTROLOGY OFTEN SEEM TO WORK?

desconocido est/ bajo



Uncritical acceptance

Horoscopes seem to be accurate

They are typically based on the tendency to believe positive or flattering descriptions of yourself

When your personality is described in desirable terms, it is hard to deny that the description has the “ring of truth”

Fallacy of positive instances

Even when an astrological description contains a mixture of positive and negative traits, it may seem accurate.

This apparent accuracy is an illusion based on this fallacy, in which we remember or notice the things that confirm our expectations and forget the rest.

The Barnum effect

Tendency to consider personal descriptions accurate if they are stated in general terms

Horoscopes, palm readings, and other products of pseudopsychologies are conveyed in such general terms that they can hardly miss

How

to

think

like

a

psychologist

Or scientific research

A form of critical thinking based on careful measurement and controlled observation

Systematically recording facts and events is the heart of all sciences

To be scientific our observations must be systematic, so that they reveal something about behaviour...