Link Found Between TV Watching and Autism
Depression Rates on the Rise Among Americans
Do Certain Foods Lead to Alzheimer’s Disease?
Perhaps you have encountered headlines in magazines or newspapers that suggest psychological research findings. These headlines may be characterized by generalization, extreme language, and claims about links between common behaviors and mental health outcomes.
The articles accompanying these headlines may reflect some aspect of psychological research. When reading this type of information in contemporary media, though, it may be wise to consider whether the conclusions are based upon scientific evidence.
For this Application Assignment, you analyze a representation of psychological research that has recently appeared in a popular magazine, newspaper article, or website. Using the seven guidelines discussed in the reading, you critically evaluate the claim presented in the article.
To prepare for this Assignment:
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Review Chapter 1, “Introduction to Psychology and Research Methods,” in your course text. Focus on the descriptions of guidelines for evaluating media representations of psychological findings.
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Locate an article in a contemporary media publication that presents psychological or mental health research findings to the public.
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Analyze the article using the seven guidelines suggested below.
The Assignment (2–3 pages)
In a 2- to 3-page paper, critique the representation of psychological research in a contemporary media piece, and address each of the following prompts:
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Were you skeptical upon initially hearing the findings? Why or why not?
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Was the source of the information credible? Why or why not?
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Did you think there were examples of oversimplification for purposes of monetary gain? Why or why not?
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Did the article (online news story, print or online written piece) provide “proof”? Support your answer with examples.
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Cite the evidence (or lack of evidence) for the study using a control group.
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Did the research suggest causation or correlation? Cite examples to support your answer.
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Were the inferences in the study supported by the data? Cite examples.
