1. Real vs. Pop Psychology

2. Ways of Knowing Non-Empirical Empirical Authority Logic
Intuition/Common Sense
Scientific Method

3. Authority Ask someone who should know about the area:
Ask the Surgeon General about smoking
Ask Dr. Laura about relationships
Ask Dean Ornish about diet
However, for every “authority” who says to do it one way, you have another “authority” who says you’d be an idiot to do it that way.

4. Logic
Logical premises make it possible for deduction to be reached. This is a fine place to start, but not enough to base fact upon.
If testable, the logical method sets a foundation upon which to build hypotheses. These, however, should still be subjected to empirical testing.

5. Intuition/Common Sense
Our intuition and common sense are based upon our experiences and learning history as well as an innate programming.
While common sense may help us get through our day and avoid many pitfalls, it does not provide the basis of developing new knowledge.

6. The Scientific Method Empirical: Direct systematized observations
Objective: Unbiased, critical, doubting
Self-Correcting: Because it is objective, new data are easily introduced and theories revised
Progressive: True science advances theory
Tentative: Questions are never presumed to be completely answered
Parsimonious: Establishes the most
concise explanation

7. Assumptions of the Scientific Method
Reality: Assume a non-existential view that the world exists
Rationality: The world operates on reasoned principles
Regularity: The principles that govern the world remain consistent
Discoverability: There are answers that remain to be uncovered
Causality: Every event has it’s cause

8. How do you operate on a Scientific Level?
What do you do that plays the odds?
Driving fast
Getting an education
Going for regular physical exams
Restricting your intake of eggs

9. How do you operate on a Non-Scientific Level?
What do you do that has no scientific merit behind it?
Superstitions
Getting yourself upset because
someone else “should” have done
something
making attributions or judgements
about others

10. Mental Health Practitioners
Clinical Psychologist
Psychiatrist
Psychiatric Nurse
Clinical Social Worker
Masters Level Counselor
Alcohol and Drug Counselor
Marriage and Family Therapist
Clinical Pastoral Counselor