Re: [tips] Should we be objective?
Hi James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Christopher Green chri...@yorku.ca 25-Nov-10 12:25:36 PM Read the book and you might learn something new. Has the recent crankiness on TIPs gone viral? Jim --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6757 or send a blank email to leave-6757-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Should we be objective?
I think Jim's post highlights some of the problems when talking about objective, evidence, opinion, etc. That is, the reviewer Jan Golinski is simply promoting further evidence for his views while Jim sees through this with his more objective knowledge which presumably puts the lie to Golinski. (Yes I know I'm interpreting a bit here, but if I try to avoid doing so, I would be in danger of writing an essay :)) What recent crankiness on TIPS? Is that an Objective assessment? A Neutral assessment? An opinion? or an Agenda? Justify your view using at least 46 references. Please include a full history and critical analysis of epistemology. You should include a particular emphasis on Kant's the Critique of Pure Reason. The response should be exhaustive and complete with a discussion section which delineates the role of this analysis in evidence based living or its lack thereof. Be brief. --Mike --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6761 or send a blank email to leave-6761-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Should we be objective?
Hi Yes! That is, we should seek, acknowledge and interpret objective evidence, even when it conflicts with our preconceptions or with what we wish to be true. Are you thinking that we should NOT try to base and revise our beliefs on objective evidence? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com 24-Nov-10 10:03 AM I recently interviewed Adele Faber, co-author of several parenting books. As I edited the audio file for my podcast it occurred to me that it will be clear to the listener that I agree with her ideas regarding parenting (which are clearly more Rogerian than Skinnerian). But aren't I supposed to be, as a psychology instructor objective? I've been turning this over in my head for the past few days and I don't know if others find this issue of concern, but today I came across an article in Time magazine by James Poniewozik. He's talking about the supposed objectivity of journalists, but I think what he has to say is relevant to us: ...what journalists and people who talk about them generally call objectivity is not actual objectivity, but something more like neutrality (often a false and labored one). Objectivity does not mean having no opinion, taking no side or expressing no point of view. [Objectivity] means seeking, acknowledging and interpreting objective evidence, even when it conflicts with your preconceptions or with what you wish to be true. You can have subjective beliefs*because we all do*and yet subordinate them to objective evidence. Your thoughts on whether we should try to be neutral? Michael Poniewozik article: http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/11/16/olbermann-jousts-koppel-in-battle-of-high-horses/#ixzz16DElMZfp Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com http://www.thepsychfiles.com Twitter: mbritt --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9n=Tl=tipso=6718 or send a blank email to leave-6718-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6719 or send a blank email to leave-6719-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Should we be objective?
Hi We can be more or less objective. Moreover, we are more likely to be objective if we aspire to being objective (i.e., try to be sensitive to our biases) and if we follow well-developed principles for identifying, reducing, minimizing, and perhaps eliminating bias (i.e., the repertoire of scientific tools generically referred to as research methods). Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Louis E. Schmier lschm...@valdosta.edu 24-Nov-10 10:26 AM I think the question should be Can we be objective? Make it a good day -Louis- Louis Schmier http://www.therandomthoughts.edublogs.org Department of Historyhttp://www.therandomthoughts.com Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ (O) 229-333-5947/^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__ / \ / \ (C) 229-630-0821 / \/ \_ \/ / \/ /\/ / \ /\ \ //\/\/ /\\__/__/_/\_\/ \_/__\ \ /\If you want to climb mountains,\ /\ _ / \don't practice on mole hills - / \_ On Nov 24, 2010, at 11:18 AM, Jim Clark wrote: Hi Yes! That is, we should seek, acknowledge and interpret objective evidence, even when it conflicts with our preconceptions or with what we wish to be true. Are you thinking that we should NOT try to base and revise our beliefs on objective evidence? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.camailto:j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com 24-Nov-10 10:03 AM I recently interviewed Adele Faber, co-author of several parenting books. As I edited the audio file for my podcast it occurred to me that it will be clear to the listener that I agree with her ideas regarding parenting (which are clearly more Rogerian than Skinnerian). But aren't I supposed to be, as a psychology instructor objective? I've been turning this over in my head for the past few days and I don't know if others find this issue of concern, but today I came across an article in Time magazine by James Poniewozik. He's talking about the supposed objectivity of journalists, but I think what he has to say is relevant to us: ...what journalists and people who talk about them generally call objectivity is not actual objectivity, but something more like neutrality (often a false and labored one). Objectivity does not mean having no opinion, taking no side or expressing no point of view. [Objectivity] means seeking, acknowledging and interpreting objective evidence, even when it conflicts with your preconceptions or with what you wish to be true. You can have subjective beliefs*because we all do*and yet subordinate them to objective evidence. Your thoughts on whether we should try to be neutral? Michael Poniewozik article: http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/11/16/olbermann-jousts-koppel-in-battle-of-high-horses/#ixzz16DElMZfp Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com http://www.thepsychfiles.com Twitter: mbritt --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9n=Tl=tipso=6718 or send a blank email to leave-6718-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: lschm...@valdosta.edu. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13368.9b8fe41d7a9a359029570f1d2ef42440n=Tl=tipso=6719 or send a blank email to leave-6719-13368.9b8fe41d7a9a359029570f1d2ef42...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9n=Tl=tipso=6720 or send a blank email to leave-6720-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6724 or send a blank email to leave-6724-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] Should we be objective?
Indeed, we should be objective, but we should also read Daston Galison's book about the history of the term, and how its meaning has shifted over the decades from the mid-19th century until now (so that we don't get too self-righteous about the matter). http://www.amazon.com/Objectivity-Lorraine-Daston/dp/1890951781 (And then, we could read my article about how some of E. B. Titchener's work is more explicable if seen through the lens of Daston Galison's history of objectivity, forthcoming in the December issue of the history of science journal, /Isis/) :-) Chris -- Christopher D. Green Department of Psychology York University Toronto, ON M3J 1P3 Canada 416-736-2100 ex. 66164 chri...@yorku.ca http://www.yorku.ca/christo/ == Jim Clark wrote: Hi We can be more or less objective. Moreover, we are more likely to be objective if we aspire to being objective (i.e., try to be sensitive to our biases) and if we follow well-developed principles for identifying, reducing, minimizing, and perhaps eliminating bias (i.e., the repertoire of scientific tools generically referred to as research methods). Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Louis E. Schmier lschm...@valdosta.edu 24-Nov-10 10:26 AM I think the question should be Can we be objective? Make it a good day -Louis- Louis Schmier http://www.therandomthoughts.edublogs.org Department of Historyhttp://www.therandomthoughts.com Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ (O) 229-333-5947/^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__ / \ / \ (C) 229-630-0821 / \/ \_ \/ / \/ /\/ / \ /\ \ //\/\/ /\ \__/__/_/\_\/\_/__\ \ /\If you want to climb mountains,\ /\ _ / \don't practice on mole hills - / \_ On Nov 24, 2010, at 11:18 AM, Jim Clark wrote: Hi Yes! That is, we should seek, acknowledge and interpret objective evidence, even when it conflicts with our preconceptions or with what we wish to be true. Are you thinking that we should NOT try to base and revise our beliefs on objective evidence? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.camailto:j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com 24-Nov-10 10:03 AM I recently interviewed Adele Faber, co-author of several parenting books. As I edited the audio file for my podcast it occurred to me that it will be clear to the listener that I agree with her ideas regarding parenting (which are clearly more Rogerian than Skinnerian). But aren't I supposed to be, as a psychology instructor objective? I've been turning this over in my head for the past few days and I don't know if others find this issue of concern, but today I came across an article in Time magazine by James Poniewozik. He's talking about the supposed objectivity of journalists, but I think what he has to say is relevant to us: ...what journalists and people who talk about them generally call objectivity is not actual objectivity, but something more like neutrality (often a false and labored one). Objectivity does not mean having no opinion, taking no side or expressing no point of view. [Objectivity] means seeking, acknowledging and interpreting objective evidence, even when it conflicts with your preconceptions or with what you wish to be true. You can have subjective beliefs*because we all do*and yet subordinate them to objective evidence. Your thoughts on whether we should try to be neutral? Michael Poniewozik article: http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/11/16/olbermann-jousts-koppel-in-battle-of-high-horses/#ixzz16DElMZfp Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com http://www.thepsychfiles.com Twitter: mbritt --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9n=Tl=tipso=6718 or send a blank email to leave-6718-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: lschm...@valdosta.edu. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13368.9b8fe41d7a9a359029570f1d2ef42440n=Tl=tipso=6719 or send a blank email to leave-6719-13368.9b8fe41d7a9a359029570f1d2ef42...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9n=Tl=tipso=6720 or send a blank email to
RE: [tips] Should we be objective?
Even if imperfectly objective, shouldn't it be our goal? Better to have it as a goal actively sought in our work, even falling short, than not even trying for it because we know we will not be perfect. Paul C. Bernhardt Department of Psychology Frostburg State University Frostburg, Maryland -Original Message- From: Louis E. Schmier [mailto:lschm...@valdosta.edu] Sent: Wed 11/24/2010 11:26 AM To: Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS) Subject: Re: [tips] Should we be objective? I think the question should be Can we be objective? Make it a good day -Louis- Louis Schmier http://www.therandomthoughts.edublogs.org Department of Historyhttp://www.therandomthoughts.com Valdosta State University Valdosta, Georgia 31698 /\ /\ /\ /\ /\ (O) 229-333-5947/^\\/ \/ \ /\/\__ / \ / \ (C) 229-630-0821 / \/ \_ \/ / \/ /\/ / \ /\ \ //\/\/ /\\__/__/_/\_\/ \_/__\ \ /\If you want to climb mountains,\ /\ _ / \don't practice on mole hills - / \_ On Nov 24, 2010, at 11:18 AM, Jim Clark wrote: Hi Yes! That is, we should seek, acknowledge and interpret objective evidence, even when it conflicts with our preconceptions or with what we wish to be true. Are you thinking that we should NOT try to base and revise our beliefs on objective evidence? Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax j.cl...@uwinnipeg.camailto:j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com 24-Nov-10 10:03 AM I recently interviewed Adele Faber, co-author of several parenting books. As I edited the audio file for my podcast it occurred to me that it will be clear to the listener that I agree with her ideas regarding parenting (which are clearly more Rogerian than Skinnerian). But aren't I supposed to be, as a psychology instructor objective? I've been turning this over in my head for the past few days and I don't know if others find this issue of concern, but today I came across an article in Time magazine by James Poniewozik. He's talking about the supposed objectivity of journalists, but I think what he has to say is relevant to us: ...what journalists and people who talk about them generally call objectivity is not actual objectivity, but something more like neutrality (often a false and labored one). Objectivity does not mean having no opinion, taking no side or expressing no point of view. [Objectivity] means seeking, acknowledging and interpreting objective evidence, even when it conflicts with your preconceptions or with what you wish to be true. You can have subjective beliefs*because we all do*and yet subordinate them to objective evidence. Your thoughts on whether we should try to be neutral? Michael Poniewozik article: http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/11/16/olbermann-jousts-koppel-in-battle-of-high-horses/#ixzz16DElMZfp Michael Britt michael.br...@thepsychfiles.com http://www.thepsychfiles.com Twitter: mbritt --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: j.cl...@uwinnipeg.ca. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9n=Tl=tipso=6718 or send a blank email to leave-6718-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: lschm...@valdosta.edu. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13368.9b8fe41d7a9a359029570f1d2ef42440n=Tl=tipso=6719 or send a blank email to leave-6719-13368.9b8fe41d7a9a359029570f1d2ef42...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: pcbernha...@frostburg.edu. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13441.4e79e96ebb5671bdb50111f18f263003n=Tl=tipso=6720 or send a blank email to leave-6720-13441.4e79e96ebb5671bdb50111f18f263...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6728 or send a blank email to leave-6728-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.eduwinmail.dat
Re:[tips] Should we be objective?
In the article in Time cited by Michael Britt, http://tunedin.blogs.time.com/2010/11/16/olbermann-jousts-koppel-in-battle-of-high-horses/ James Poniewozik writes: You can have subjective beliefs—because we all do—and yet subordinate them to objective evidence. Of course (as I'm sure Poniewozik would acknowledge) it isn't quite that simple. Assuming the individual is genuinely striving to encompass objective evidence within his or her view of events, there's the little matter of selection and interpretation. Since everyone agrees that we can't be entirely objective (or even neutral), as we all harbour our own preconceptions, the question is how do we set about trying to aspire to being objective (i.e., try to be sensitive to our biases) (Jim Clark) Jim suggests that we should follow well-developed principles for identifying, reducing, minimizing, and perhaps eliminating bias (i.e., the repertoire of scientific tools generically referred to as research methods). One principle that I regard as indispensable (though my impression is that relatively few people abide by it) is that we should *actively* seek out informed critical examinations of views or contentions we are inclined to endorse (often because it chimes with our own current viewpoint). Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London allenester...@compuserve.com http://www.esterson.org --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6737 or send a blank email to leave-6737-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
