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Trust in Science Can Be Risky Without Critical Mindset
Reminding people of the value of critical evaluation reduces belief in false claims, but reminding them of the value of trusting science does not. “We conclude that trust in science, although desirable in many ways, makes people vulnerable to pseudoscience,” the researchers write. “These findings have implications for science broadly and the application of psychological science to curbing misinformation during the COVID-19 pandemic.” “People are susceptible to being deceived by the trappings of science,” says coauthor Dolores Albarracín, professor at the University of Pennsylvania.
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Why the COVID-19 Pandemic Could Lead to Overdue Change in Academia
After an absolutely devastating year, academic scientists in some parts of the world are beginning to reopen their labs and see their colleagues in person. As the global vaccination campaign continues, scientists elsewhere will begin to take similar steps. Many of us are still struggling to cope with the consequences of the pandemic. But after the crisis passes, we may find that it leads to some positive change. In our labs, we have begun to look back on the past year to see whether there might be any useful lessons learned.
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Stage Fright
The pressure. The expectations. The anxiety. If there’s one thing that connects the athletes gathering for the Olympic games with the rest of us, it’s the stress that can come from performing in front of others. In this week’s episode, we talk with cognitive scientist Sian Beilock about why so many of us crumble under pressure –– and what we can do about it. ...
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Albert Bandura, Leading Psychologist of Aggression, Dies at 95
Albert Bandura, a psychologist whose landmark studies on aggression are a staple of introductory psychology classes and whose work on the role of people’s beliefs in shaping their behavior transformed American psychology, died on Monday at his home in Stanford, Calif. He was 95. The cause was congestive heart failure, his daughter Carol Bandura Cowley said. Dr. Bandura, a native of Canada who joined the Stanford University faculty in 1953 and remained affiliated with the university until his death, was widely regarded as one of the most influential psychologists of his time. In a 2002 survey, he ranked fourth among the most-cited psychologists of the 20th century, behind Sigmund Freud, B.F.
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The Future Is Bright: Vivid Imagination Is Linked to Mental Health
People who can imagine achieving their goals in greater detail are less likely to be or to become depressed.
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Albert Bandura, Leading Psychologist of Social Learning Theory, Dies
The renowned researcher established the foundations of self-efficacy and sociocognitive learning theory.
