This assignment has students visit a book retailer to critically evaluate the portrayal of the science of psychology in the popular media. Click here for a link to the assignment. Photo by Megan (Markham) Bucknall on Unsplash
Activity: Psychology in the Bookstore Read More »
Students are given a list of personality descriptions based on the 12 signs of the zodiac and have to choose which one best describes them. We then discuss how these personality descriptions are written vague enough to apply to many people. This activity is similar to the classic Forer effect (Forer, 1949). Forer used generalized
Activity: Using Zodiac-based Personality Descriptions to Teach about Biases in Thinking Read More »
This activity involves students analyzing a famous editorial about the existence of Santa Claus in terms in terms of different ways of knowing (e.g., intuition, authority, logic, and the scientific method). Click here for a link to the assignment. Photo by krakenimages on Unsplash
Activity: Ways of Knowing There Is a Santa Claus Read More »
In the article “A history of FLICC: the 5 techniques of science denial” places five strategies (Fake experts, Logical fallacies, Impossible expectations, Cherry picking, and Conspiracy theories.) into a the acronym FLICC. This article, elaborates on many other techniques within these broad 5 categories, including examples of each. The article includes links to a three
The 5 Techniques of Science Denial Read More »
This activity gives students practice evaluating statistical information by placing them in the role of a therapist who needs to purchase software for her practice. It also helps show students the value of understanding concepts from research/statistics in contexts other than doing research. This activity should take approximately 15-20 minutes. Students could work individually or
Activity: Evaluating Statistical Information: Product Selection Read More »
This resource (created by Dr. Suzanne Wood and Vanessa Chan with support from an Instructional Resource Award) describes five writing assignments designed to help students build critical thinking skills related to reading empirical research. Each activity has an overview, guidelines for students, and a rubric for instructors. This is a fantastic activity for students taking
Assignment: Reading and Evaluating Research Read More »
