posts from december, 2008
The problem with many of the findings in psychology is that they are often motivated by sociocultural norms, and that psychology as a “science” is used to justify/perpetuate these norms. Such methodology starts with a conclusion and works backward to find evidence in favor of it. Done correctly, this might lead to conclusive findings, but it most often is done erroneously, overlooking the biases in choosing which parts of the story are told in coming to the conclusion. “Addicted to Love” (1,634 words) explains how the science behind addiction (sex and porn addiction, mainly, but also addiction in general) is similarly complicated. As the author points out, when an idea becomes accepted by the mainstream, it can be oversimplified and misused to justify what are actually just problems of character in individuals. via reddit
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YouTube’s “annotations” feature adds a new element of interactivity to the videos. Much like those Choose Your Own Adventure books from your childhood, a group called Chad, Matt, & Rob have created a pretty involved adventure called The Time Machine. via UX Magazine
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Do you think you know the best way to stop a rumor? Would you go the “no comment” route? Psychologists studying the sociodynamics of rumors have found that acknowledging and expanding upon rumors are the best way to stop them (2,060 words) (what one calls “stealing thunder”). They also give a little insight on the necessity and practicality of rumors, which can provide useful information about superiors. Or, at least that’s what I’ve heard on the interwebs. A favorite quote:
McAndrew’s work, much of which focuses on our obsession with celebrity culture, suggests our brains aren’t terribly adept at distinguishing people who are “actually” important from people who simply receive a lot of attention. ∞