In recent decades, the public's appetite for pseudoscience has grown. Describe two examples of this "pop psychology" and then analyze the differences between psychology and pseudoscience
What will be an ideal response?
A good answer will include the following key points. Specific examples may vary.
• Possible Example 1: Many self-help books are available in bookstores that purport to help you find personal growth and success in life.
• Possible Example 2: Playing on the modern consumer's love of technology, a variety of electrical gizmos have been marketed with the promise that they will get both halves of your brain working at their peak.
• Pseudoscience is based on popular opinion and promises easy fixes to life's problems.
• Scientific psychology is based on empirical evidence.
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A child and her father are walking. The child knows there are such things as birds. Upon seeing a butterfly, she says, "See the birdie," and her father replies, "No, that's a butterfly; see how small it is.". The child learns about butterflies. This example demonstrates
a. assimilation. b. accommodation. c. conservation. d. object permanence.
A test is said to be reliable if it:
a. measures what it is supposed to measure b. gives consistent results for any given person c. tests many different abilities d. does not show racial and ethnic differences in scores
Most middle-aged adults rarely speak with their adult children
Indicate whether this statement is true or false.
The most important development of adolescence is the ______
a. awakening of adult intelligence b. acceptance of adult responsibilities c. development of a capacity to reproduce d. changes in emotional awareness