Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton BY ISabel MogridgeIn daily life, humans are subconsciously subject to coercion and influence. This has been apparent through studies of social situations where experts have proven ways that we change our opinions based on influence from others. Choosing which door of the train will open based on where other people are standing or obeying any instructions given to you by someone in a uniform are examples of how we are socially influenced on a daily basis. This begs the question; can we ever truly act from our own judgement or are we always influenced by people around us and our environment?
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Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton By rapha RedfernA disease is first detected by symptoms and then diagnosed. Next, the full range of biological and environmental factors contributing to its development must be analysed and understood. Only then can treatment be developed.
We take this approach towards the replication crisis, an ongoing methodological dilemma that has shaken social sciences, unveiling many irreproducible studies. Before we consider possible solutions and their efficacy, it is essential to understand the underlying social, conceptual and statistical factors. The crisis is a learning experience that can catalyse progress and ideological change in scientific communities which can be, perhaps unknowingly, stuck in their ways. Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton By Eilidh mcnaughtonHistorically, the field of psychology has been dominated by white male researchers and lacked diversity. Psychological theories and data have also been used to promote racist ideas, for example, claiming racial differences in intelligence were a result of biology as opposed to a lack of education or other environmental factors which some researchers continue to argue (Winston, 2020). People of colour who pursued careers in psychology faced a range of difficulties in progressing their careers. This included Dr Mamie Phipps Clark, who faced much prejudice as a Black woman in psychology during the mid-1900s. However, Clark was committed to improving the lives of young Black children and despite the challenges she faced, she made important contributions to psychology, the Civil Rights Movement and social services which should be recognised.
BY ELLIE PINKERTONHave you ever been unable to stop listening to a song that you’ve recently discovered has a catchy tune? Perhaps you’ve even gotten a song stuck in your head and can’t go the whole day without it incessantly intruding your thoughts. Well, whilst listening to music may seem like a very futile filler of your time, scientists have actually determined several psychological and biological functions of this inexplicable pastime.
Graphic by Eilidh McNaughton By Martha Williams Dopamine is a neurotransmitter that is commonly understood to play an important role in human behaviour that relates to pleasure, hence dopamine earning its nickname of the “feel-good neurotransmitter”. Hunger, sexual desire, addiction, love, and creativity are all driven by this essential chemical messenger. Ever since the initial scientific discovery of dopamine by George Barger and James Ewens in 1920, psychologists and pharmacologists have been increasingly interested in and fascinated by dopamine and its role in human behaviour (Fahn, 2008).
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