I tried to find the issue on line so I could see the articles for myself in the latest issue, but the online issue must be one back, which is extremely unusual in my experience, with commercial magazines. None of the articles in the September issue even vague alluded to any topics you mentioned. And I guess that says it all. Commercial magazines. I read a couple of the articles in the latest online issue and they were very poor in quality. There were no direct references to any scientific studies published in reputable journals. The test that one article did was to state, "a study found..." Even "ladies'" magazines do better than that!
I'd be extremely cautious. Ever since Psych Today was sold by the APA to a commercial enterprise the quality of information has been based on how well the issues will sell and not on any other primary standard. Everything else is secondary. Sales are number one. That doesn't mean that a quality piece doesn't get published; but quality of evidence is not what drives the publication. In addition, anything that relates human behavior to astrology cannot be anything other than entertainment given the widespread knowledge that that is the best anyone can do with astrology. There is a great Penn & Teller BullShit episode on astrology--if you surf the Showtime website it might even be online. They have very many clips online from the show. I use several in class. Annette Annette Kujawski Taylor, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology University of San Diego 5998 Alcala Park San Diego, CA 92110 619-260-4006 [email protected] ---- Original message ---- >Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2009 08:13:19 -0400 >From: "James K. Denson" <[email protected]> >Subject: [tips] Feedback on Psychology Today >To: "Teaching in the Psychological Sciences (TIPS)" <[email protected]> > >I am asking for feedback from the experts on the research/teaching value >of Psychology today. >This month's issue had, (in my humble High School Psychology teacher >opinion), great articles on sleep disorders and personality traits >correlated with astrological signs. >I know in the past many professionals have dismissed the research in >this publication. >Can any of you help me here? On the surface this seems to be good >information that I can share with my students. > >Thanks in advance for your assistance. > > >J. Kevin Denson >AP Psychology Teacher >Social Studies Department Chair >Kempsville High School >5194 Chief Trail >Virginia Beach, VA 23464 >[email protected] > >--- >To make changes to your subscription contact: > >Bill Southerly ([email protected]) --- To make changes to your subscription contact: Bill Southerly ([email protected])
