How To Think Straight About Psychology, Pearson New International Edition, 9th edition

Published by Pearson (28 August 2013) © 2014

  • Keith E. Stanovich University of Toronto
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Access details

  • Instant access once purchased
  • Fulfilled by VitalSource

Title overview

Understanding psychology requires more than learning theories and concepts—it requires the ability to evaluate evidence, question assumptions and think critically about the claims we encounter every day. How to Think Straight About Psychology helps students become informed consumers of psychological information by developing the scientific reasoning and analytical skills needed to distinguish sound research from misinformation, anecdote and pseudoscience.

Widely used in introductory psychology and critical-thinking courses, this resource uses engaging examples from psychology to explain how scientific knowledge is developed, tested and refined. Students learn how to evaluate evidence, interpret research findings and recognise common errors in reasoning. By focusing on practical tools for critical evaluation, the text equips learners with skills that can be applied not only in psychology, but across academic study, professional practice and everyday decision-making.

Who It's For

Ideal for students enrolled in introductory psychology courses, as well as courses focused on critical thinking, scientific reasoning, research methods, science versus pseudoscience and the evaluation of psychological evidence. It is also valuable for anyone seeking to become a more discerning consumer of psychological information and research.

Table of contents

  • 1. Psychology is Alive and Well (and Doing Fine Among the Sciences)
  • 2. Falsifiability: How to Foil Little Green Men in the Head
  • 3. Operation and Essentialism: "But, Doctor, What Does It Really Mean?"
  • 4. Testimonials and Case Study Evidence: Placebo Effects and the Amazing Randi
  • 5. Correlation and Causation: Birth Control by the Toaster Method
  • 6. Getting Things Under Control: The Case of Clever Hans
  • 7. "But It's Not Real Life!": The "Artificiality" Criticism and Psychology
  • 8. Avoiding the Einstein Syndrome: The Importance of Converging Evidence
  • 9. The Misguided Search for the "Magic Bullet": The Issue of Multiple Causation
  • 10. The Role of Chance in Psychology
  • 11. The Achilles' Heel of Human Cognition: Probabilistic Reasoning
  • References

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