Dr. Stephen Hupp - Pop Psychology & Pseudoscience

Thoughts on Record: Podcast of the Ottawa Institute of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

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Many clinicians pride themselves on practicing within an evidence based framework; however, within psychology the influence of pseudoscience and pop psychology has been at times problematic and even harmful. Psychologist, professor & author, Dr. Hupp joins us to discuss his recently edited book Investigating Pop Psychology: Pseudoscience, Fringe Science & Controversies. In this conversation we cover:

• why Dr. Hupp wanted to put together this book
• the state of psychology & clinical psychology as a science considering recent challenges around the so-called replication crisis
• consideration of potential factors that have contributed to the evolution of pseudoscience in psychology, including human factors
• the quality of the information landscape (news, social media, click bait) at the present time and how this might contribute to the propagation of pseudoscience
• exploring the potential impact of "pop psychology" on the current research funding landscape
• when misinformation in the sphere of pop psychology goes from being light entertainment to being potentially harmful
• features of human psychology that make us predisposed to fall for pseudoscience, including confirmation bias
• what clinicians should keep in mind with respect to the critical consumption of information
• differentiating between pseudoscience and when the scientific method is employed in more “fringe” areas
• advice for those who want to study within a fringe area
• readily recognizing false claims/charlatans/hidden agendas etc.
• Dr. Hupp's favourite examples from the book that illustrate the principles discussed
• balancing exploring novel areas of investigation that could yield fascinating results while remaining firmly grounded in scientific principles, critical thinking, testable hypotheses - when it might be worth taking “flyers” on strange or novel ideas

Stephen Hupp, PhD, is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist and Professor of Psychology at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. His books include Investigating Pop Psychology (with Richard Wiseman), Investigating Clinical Psychology (with Jonathan Stea), Pseudoscience in Therapy (with Cara Santa Maria), and Dr. Huckleberry’s True or Malarkey? Superhuman Abilities: Game Book for Skeptical Folk.