Re:[tips] On Objectivity - and what research findings make us uncomfortable?
On 27 November 2010 Michael Sylvester wrote: It is probably only in the U.S that spanking is viewed as negative... Michael, I think you'll find that the Scandinavian countries comfortably outdo the U.S. in this respect, as well as some other European countries. Allen Esterson Former lecturer, Science Department Southwark College, London allenester...@compuserve.com http://www.esterson.org From: michael sylvester msylves...@copper.net Subject:Re: On Objectivity - and what research findings make us uncomfortable? Date: Sat, 27 Nov 2010 07:01:39 -0200 Comfortable/uncomfortable,eh! What's that? This must be the touchy feely aspect of Britt's research paradigm.It should not be a matter of whether one is uncomfortable with research findings.However we are talking about methodology flaws and although reliability can have a high degree of internal consistency,whether the findings has any external validity is a different story. It is well known that spanking is the most universal method of correcting behavior on the planet and does not produce any irreparable harmful effects.It is probably only in the U.S that spanking is viewed as negative and lots of the blame can be placed on U.S psychology.There is a penchant,in the U.S ,to anticipate vague premonitions of disaster in certaun behavioral parameters that never come to fruition. Michael omnicentric Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6794 or send a blank email to leave-6794-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] On Objectivity - and what research findings make us uncomfortable?
What I usually find uncomfortable is that people use research to support their personal views. For example, Michal Britt finds that he's ok with the research that finds homosexuality is not a mental illness. This is clearly not what research shows since it can show nothing of the kind. Another is the implication that we should be teaching students to heavily consider research before making up their minds on an issue. This is a monsterous implication and presumption. Far more important is what their parents and friends think about it, what religion says about it, what literature and the arts say about it, and what their own feelings and beliefs say about it. Another one is thinking that somehow the personal beliefs of an instructor are important. They simply are not. It can only be hoped that students already know this. Of course, if they are in my classes then they will. Lastly I'll mention the lip service paid to the scientific attitude. Exemplified in treating research results as if they actually were conclusive. If one were to actually live as we try to foist on students, then all one could say would be: Homosexuality may not be a mental illness, we just don't know for sure. Indeed, all of the results of psychological research is like that. That is, anything you learn in class is tentative and incomplete. In the end, you will just have to make up your own mind about an issue. Hopefully, we would be responsible people and add, Please make sure you take several courses in the Humanities so that you get a more balanced and realistic view of life. --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=6797 or send a blank email to leave-6797-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] On Objectivity - and what research findings make us uncomfortable?
Michael Smith wrote several things of interest to me, anyway. First he said: What I usually find uncomfortable is that people use research to support their personal views. As a person who started my study of Psychology in 1964 and practicing as a teacher since 1970 and practitioner since 1976, I find that I certainly use research to inform my personal decisions about what approaches truth and my personal views about those things that research has offered a significant body of knowledge. Second, in regard to homosexuality, he said: For example, Michal Britt finds that he's ok with the research that finds homosexuality is not a mental illness. This is clearly not what research shows since it can show nothing of the kind. I would need a bit more clarification as to what Michael means with his comment about homosexuality. As a clinical psychologist, I was of the opinion through research, the decision of the very conservative editors of the DSM, and personal experience with the LGBT population that there was considerable support to believe that homosexuality is not a mental illness. I can understand that his personal belief might be different, which is reflected in the third statement that he makes, but that his position is supported by things other than research. Third, and most confusing to me was his statement: Another is the implication that we should be teaching students to heavily consider research before making up their minds on an issue. This is a monsterous implication and presumption. Far more important is what their parents and friends think about it, what religion says about it, what literature and the arts say about it, and what their own feelings and beliefs say about it. I can just say that the reason we have a Tea Party today is that too many people have based their beliefs (i.e., made up their minds) about too many things based on what their parents, friends, religion, literature, and the arts, and their own feelings and beliefs say about it where there may be considerable research that strongly suggests that what they believe on an issue is most likely wrong. Finally, Mike said: Lastly I'll mention the lip service paid to the scientific attitude. Exemplified in treating research results as if they actually were conclusive. I can agree that if a professor of psychology treats research results as if they actually were CONCLUSIVE that would be an error and I would suggest that any professor of psychology states that research can prove anything (including gravity, which probably comes as close to truth as anything we know) either didn't do well in their research methods courses or had a terrible instructor in those courses. . Robert W. Wildblood, PhD Adjunct Psychology Faculty Germanna Community College drb...@rcn.com --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6798 or send a blank email to leave-6798-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] On Objectivity - and what research findings make us uncomfortable?
Just as there are disclaimers on many products there should be a disclaimer written at the end of every reseach report that states that the research results may not hold for non-Eurocentric cultures and societies. Michael omnicentric Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6799 or send a blank email to leave-6799-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
Re: [tips] On Objectivity - and what research findings make us uncomfortable?
Comfortable/uncomfortable,eh! What's that? This must be the touchy feely aspect of Britt's research paradigm.It should not be a matter of whether one is uncomfortable with research findings.However we are talking about methodology flaws and although reliability can have a high degree of internal consistency,whether the findings has any external validity is a different story. It is well known that spanking is the most universal method of correcting behavior on the planet and does not produce any irreparable harmful effects.It is probably only in the U.S that spanking is viewed as negative and lots of the blame can be placed on U.S psychology.There is a penchant,in the U.S ,to anticipate vague premonitions of disaster in certaun behavioral parameters that never come to fruition. Michael omnicentric Sylvester,PhD Daytona Beach,Florida --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: arch...@jab.org. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5n=Tl=tipso=6784 or send a blank email to leave-6784-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
