Here's a research synopsis from the Science Daily website with the headline, "Running on little sleep? You're twice as likely to get hurt." The way this heading is phrased, it makes it sound like a causal claim. Phrases such as "twice as likely" don't make it causal, but the "if...then..." nature of the headline does …
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It's not hard to find TikTok, IG, or webposts about a field called "color psychology." It generally argues that different colors have specific effects on your mood, behavior, and energy. Put your critical thinking hat on while we take a look at some of its claims. Can the color you choose to wear really impact …
The study correlated cuddling style with stress and attachment. Photo: LightField Studios/Shutterstock If you share a bed with your sweetheart, you might be interested in this example of correlational research summarized by PsyPost. Their headline reads, "Study finds couples who cuddle at bedtime feel more secure and less stressed." Here are some introductory statements: Study …
To do: Decide whether each study's variables are manipulated or measured. Check! GoodStudio/Shutterstock I wouldn't be able to get through my week without a to-do list. And now my habits are validated by this new story about research on to-do lists, which comes from the BBC News. The journalist summarizes a series of studies for …
The journalist provides a mixture of empirical evidence and authority to support advice for how to talk to family you disagree with. Photo: PeopleImages.com - Yuri A/Shutterstock During the holidays, we may find ourselves interacting with family members who don't agree with us--especially on politics. Here's a story from NPR news with advice on how …
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Correlational and experimental research seems to converge on the conclusion that stress causes gray hair. Photo: Kunlathida6242/Shutterstock Can stress turn your hair gray? Here's a story on gray hair research, written by a New York Times science journalist. In our culture, we certainly believe that gray hair can be caused (in some cases at least) …
Photo: Viacheslav Lopatin/Shutterstock A story in PsyPost was headlined with, Prenatal cannabinoid exposure appears to have a strange impact on early language development. You might have noticed that the verb phrase, "has a strange impact on" is a causal one. We are being asked to believe that prenatal exposure to cannabis causes something in children's …
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Does the study support the causal claim the journalist attached to it? Photo: Dusan Petkovic/Shutterstock Guest post by Carli Fine, University of Delaware A recent news article for the general public was headlined, “Cutting Out Meat Might Help PreventSnoring: Study”. The journalistic source was Health Day: News for Healthier Living, which makes recommendations for the …
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The journalist's uncritical acceptance of this frequency claim's data is also awkward. Photo credit:JRP Studio/Shutterstock Here's an interesting set of frequency claims about what percentage of U.S. adults feel awkward. The data were presented at the content farm StudyFinds, under the headline, "That's awkward! 68% still often feel as insecure as they did as teens" …
Risky drinkers were more sensitive to alcohol-related rewards and punishments. Photo:PanuShot/Shutterstock Researcher Elizabeth Goldfarb's research on the cognitive styles of risky drinkers was the topic of a recent episode of the podcasts, Under the Cortext, produced by APS. You can listen to the 15- minute discussion between Dr. Goldfarb and Dr. Özge G. Fischer Baum …