���On 31 August 2009 Michael Smith wrote:
Generally someone makes a point and provides a reference and
the point tends to be considered proven and true.
Does it? That's not the general impression I have of TIPSters'
attitudes. (I suggest that if this were the case, there would be little
point to TIPS.)
Of course the public position of almost everyone is that they
don't accept the point as proven and true. But, rather, the point
is neither accepted nor denied for now. And everyone will of
course claim that they will check out the reference(s)
-- as if that is very likely.
On any one thread the number of TIPSters responding is generally rather
few. Of those who say th
ey will check the references, how do you know
that they are unlikely to have done so? My impression is that those who
are the more interested in the topic in question and say they'll check
the references frequently do so.
How many (much fewer to almost non-existent I think) will then
go on to seek out conflicting opinions and references (and again
thoroughly study those) when they already have a bias that the
point is true (the example here that spanking is not effective
and is indeed harmful, as all the academics know).
It is true that there are some topics that tend to produce a consensus
but we are fortunate on TIPS that there is generally someone (I think
one in par
ticular may come to mind – check out the spanking thread!)
who will challenge that consensus, with citations provided for
consideration. Even if most TIPSters don't check out the citations in
detail (or even at all), the challenge will at least mean that they are
aware that the consensus view is not necessarily proven.
The inclusion of a reference or two which settles it can
be a kind of reference to authority.
I don't know how a reference or two can settle any issue, though a
closely argued, scholarly article may provide good evidence for a
specific viewpoint.
Again though, many will say, yes--but a reliable authority.
But again, people can't know this unless the
y thoroughly
read and study the relevant papers (and of course the
opposing papers)--which is unlikely to happen.
I haven't noticed a general propensity among TIPSters to treat cited
specific authors as authorities not open to question (especially in a
subject like psychology!). Of course it is very time-consuming to read
sometimes lengthy articles and opposing articles, and no doubt TIPSters
only do so if they have a specific interest in the topic in question,
but this is inevitably the case with busy people.
Allen Esterson
Former lecturer, Science Department
Southwark College, London
http://www.esterson.org
-
---=0
D
Re: [tips] Spanking - an idea that won't go away
Michael Smith
Mon, 31 Aug 2009 18:30:30 -0700
Michael Sylvester said he is tired of the demand for references. lol
Well that's not likely to change, but I agree that you have a point.
Generally someone makes a point and provides a reference and the point
tends to be considered proven and true.
Of course the public position of almost everyone is that they don't
accept the point as proven and true. But, rather, the point is neither
accepted nor denied for now. And everyone will of course claim that
they will check out the reference(s) -- as if that is very likely.
Or even if they do get around to checking out a reference (agai
n I
think pretty unlikely unless they have a specific use for it), how
many will thoroughly read and study it to find if the point made is
justified?
How many (much fewer to almost non-existent I think) will then go on
to seek out conflicting opinions and references (and again thoroughly
study those) when they already have a bias that the point is true (the
example here that spanking is not effective and is indeed harmful, as
all the academics know).
The inclusion of a reference or two which settles it can be a kind
of reference to authority. Again though, many will say, yes--but a
reliable authority. But again, people can't know this unless they
thoroughly read and study the relevant=2
0papers (and of course the
opposing papers)--which is unlikely to happen.
--Mike
---
To make changes to your subscription contact:
Bill Southerly (bsouthe...@frostburg.edu)