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Anomalistic Psychology

This lesson explores the characteristics of pseudoscience in the field of anomalistic psychology, including the lack of peer review, flawed methodology, unfalsifiable theories, and claims based on anecdotal evidence.

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Anomalistic Psychology

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  1. Anomalistic Psychology Lesson 1

  2. Answers to questions 1 & 2 • Question 1: Directional (one-tailed is acceptable) • Question 2: • 1 mark for correctly stating that the result is significant. • 2 further marks for an explanation: • Because the calculated value of T =53 is less than the critical value of 60 (1 mark) where N = 20 and p ≤ 0.05 for a one-tailed test(2 marks)

  3. Today • Recap of Unit 4 topics • Look at Anomalistic Psychology topics and how they are assessed • Features of Pseudoscience • How to achieve high marks on an exam question for Pseudoscience • Consider whether Parapsychology is a Science or a Pseudoscience

  4. Recap of Unit 4 topics • Section A: Depression • (Total = 24 marks. Essay – same as Unit 3) • Section B: Psychology in Action: Anomalistic Psychology • (Total = 24 marks) • Mixture of short and long answer questions which often require application to a scenario) • Section C: • Research methods • (Total = 35 marks. Mixture of short and long questions based on scenarios)

  5. Anomalistic Psychology This is on the front page of your packs

  6. Pseudoscience vs science • Read the information on Pseudoscience (p2) and identify which statements in the boxes you think are characteristics of Science or Pseudoscience. • Do this without discussing it with the people sat next to you.

  7. Answers – the ones highlighted are pseudoscience

  8. Close your packs

  9. Past Exam question • Explain what is meant by pseudoscience (5 marks) • Read the ‘Past exam question sheet’ and work in pairs to complete the activities

  10. Missing characteristics from mark scheme: • Pseudoscience is not published in peer-reviewed journals (often appears in magazines, newspapers or on the internet) • Investigations, where they are carried out at all, are often methodologically flawed and not replicable • Theories are usually unfalsifiable • Aims to support claims rather than refute them • Potential reasons for answer achieving high marks: • Gives overall definition of Pseudoscience. • Four accurate characteristics given. • They have elaborated on most characteristics – done really well for peer review. • Made reference to major features of science e.g. hypothesis testing

  11. Occam’s razor • Read about Occam’s razor on p4 and answer the questions. • Which explanation is most likely to be viewed as pseudoscientific?

  12. Parapsychology – science or pseudoscience? • It has been argued that anomalistic psychology uses the scientific method to establish truths about paranormal phenomena, whereas parapsychology uses pseudoscience, or in some cases ‘fraud’ as an explanation for the phenomena. However, there is a debate about to what extent parapsychology is a ‘true’ science or a pseudoscience. • You will be directed to a specific piece of evidence related to Parapsychology. • Your job is to use your knowledge of the features of science and pseudoscience to explain how this evidence could be used to debate the scientific status of parapsychology.

  13. Now we have discussed this – write a answer to the exam question on p5 (use the space underneath the hint box)

  14. Review of pseudoscience Some creationists claim that God made the earth with signs of prior aging, such as fossils in rocks, already in place. • Which characteristic of pseudoscience does this demonstrate? Why? • Falsifiability – cannot disprove this claim – impossible to

  15. Review of pseudoscience Western astrology has changed very little over the past 2500 years. • Which characteristic of pseudoscience does this demonstrate? Why? • Lack of progress – differs to science which uses hypothesis testing and challenges existing theories so progress is possible.

  16. Review of pseudoscience Pseudoscientists often publish straight to books, magazines or on the internet. • Which characteristic of pseudoscience does this demonstrate? Why? • No peer review – is not scrutinised by independent experts so cannot check for validity this limits credibility

  17. Review of pseudoscience Claims for psychic healing working usually rely on personal testimony of those it has treated. • Which characteristic of pseudoscience does this demonstrate? Why? • Poor methodology & anecdotal evidence – means data is subjective rather than objective

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