Obvious Research Studies
I studied Psychology at university which I still consider to be a useful and very varied subject. However, media reports of psychological studies have always bugged me because they always seem to pick the ‘common sense’ results studies. This reinforces the popular belief that studying psychology is a waste of time because it is all ‘obvious’. Although this video parody report from the Onion is not psychology related, it made me laugh because it is a good example of this ‘obvious research’ reported in the media.
turbulent mathematician said,
August 10, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Generally sociology rather than psychology is blessed with the “blindingly obvious” tag. The trouble is that sometimes the obvious has to be proved. In education, you’re sometimes can’t make the pitch for what everyone knows. “There’s no proof that smaller class sizes are effective in raising standards” they cry. (Yes, I’ve really come across this.) This makes an excuse not to do it rather than something else that has been “proved” (which generally means someone’s new untested theory that they want to promote to make a name for themselves).
Sorry, I seem to have turned into ranter.
Funny clip, though.
Maximus said,
December 20, 2007 at 1:47 pm
I would like to see a continuation of the topic
sidekicked said,
January 6, 2008 at 8:18 pm
What would you like to discuss?! I haven’t been blogging much recently as I’ve been caught by the facebook craze,. On facebook the ‘My Personality’ application also has an interesting quiz on psychological studies. I didn’t get 100% despite having a psychology degree, so this is quite a good indication that the results of the studies aren’t obvious afterall!
music said,
January 7, 2008 at 8:47 pm
very interesting.
i’m adding in RSS Reader
apocryphal said,
June 4, 2008 at 2:56 am
Apocryphal says : I absolutely agree with this !