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 History http://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.ca<mailto: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=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=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=13368.9b8fe41d7a9a359029570f1d2ef42440&n=T&l=tips&o=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=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=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=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=6724 or send a blank email to leave-6724-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
