I agree, and am delighted that many seem to recognize the value of good
observation and description, and the role of presumptive vantage points
underlying such accounts. The class could explore the assumptions and biases
involved in naive descriptions as a critical thinking exercise. How do
psychologists hold in check or take into account their own biases and
assumptions when conducting such observations? Here, one might bring in
differences beyween informal observations and more systematic ways of observing
and recording that might better characterize scientific study. Other classes
might explore the role of such observations in developing research ideas. Do
psychologists learn or acquire description/observational skill in grad school?
How should such accounts differ from the tainted kinds of case notes said to
typify Freud's writing?
One would have to encourage better observation/analysis in any case, but
could this also lead to lessons as to how biased observations might lead to
faulty hypothesis testing?
GPeterson
Gary's iPad
On Oct 10, 2010, at 11:30 AM, Michael Smith <[email protected]> wrote:
> I hesitate to point this out, but....there is no evidence that this
> behavior exists or is "automatic" and that the "fact" that "he fully
> understands that when people go to these places they are not
> 'themselves' but rather some zombie-like shell of themselves" to me is
> a bizzarre assumption. Especially when the ensuing
> activity/analysis/discussion is based entirely upon this assumption.
>
> Since it's intro psych I would ask stuff like: How is this level of
> "automaticity" to be measured? How experienced is the student an in
> observing human behavior in the field (aware of biases such as
> confirmation of belief)? How many people actually take from the
> tangled pile--one needs a count in general and counts tied to the
> variables of interest: height, sex, time of day, etc.
>
> In short, the student has an anecdotal suspicion that something is
> going on, couched in imprecise and 'familiar' language--perhaps a good
> place for ideas...but it certainly needs tightening up. Not the least
> of which is to check whether the 'phenomenon' actually exists through
> an actual count (preferably by an unbiased observer). So I think the
> first step is a simple count and a t-test.
>
> --Mike
>
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