Psychology 2320A/B Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Facilitated Communication, Pseudoscience, Living Brain

• School: Western University
• Department: Psychology
• Course: Psychology 2320A/B
• Professor: Elizabeth Hayden

Document Summary

Science requires that a claim be based on theories backed up by data from well- designed studies. Skepticism in science for abnormal child psych may occur when: Research may lead to different recommendations regarding how children should be helped. Many parents may dismiss findings because they have encountered an exception. It is the accumulation of studies that advances the field. Still used today even though there is no scientific basis. Study with facilitated communication where it was thought that autistic children could eventually learn how to communicate normally > this was actually fiction, the facilitator was actually the one controlling the child. Above example is an example of pseudoscience: demonstrations of benefit are based on anecdotes or testimonials, the child"s baseline abilities and the possibility of spontaneous improvement are ignored, and related scientific procedures are disavowed. What distinguishes science from pseudoscience is that scientists play by the rules and are prepared to admit when they are wrong.