Distinguish between psychology, pop psychology, and parapsychology, and give examples where appropriate. What do you think are some concerns or dangers associated with pseudoscience masquerading as a science?

What will be an ideal response?


Psychology is a science that examines behavior and mental processes through experimentation. Psychology seeks to describe, predict, explain, and control behavior and mental processes. Pop psychology and parapsychology are not dedicated to scientific inquiry. They are used for entertainment only, as they are not based in fact or truth. Pop psychology is found in self-help books and advice from psychologists on TV and radio. Parapsychology refers to phenomena that are outside scientific boundaries, such as hauntings, telepathy, clairvoyance, psychic "healing," telekinesis, etc. The primary danger of the pseudosciences is that people believe they are the truth or real.

Psychology

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A. Nicotine B. Cocaine C. Marijuana D. Alcohol

Psychology

If all the efferent neurons were removed from your nervous system, you would be unable to:

A. process language B. move your body C. solve complex problems D. control your emotions

Psychology

Mitch insists that he feels trapped in a female's body and wants to be a complete man. Mitch could be considered exhibiting:

A. insufficient testosterone syndrome B. body dysphoric disorder C. homosexuality D. transsexualism

Psychology

A teacher believes that one group of children is very bright and that a second group is below average in ability, although both groups are actually equal in ability. Nevertheless, the first group progresses more rapidly than the second. This demonstrates

a. the self-fulfilling prophecy. b. the placebo effect within a natural experiment. c. observer bias in naturalistic observation. d. the ethical problems of field experiments.

Psychology