Cognitive Biases in Belief of MMS as Treatment for ASD

This article examines the cognitive biases that may explain why a couple believes that Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS) is a safe and effective treatment for their daughter's Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). It also explores their reactions to conversations about MMS.

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SPED102
Date Due: 11:59pm on Sunday 8th September
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PART 1
Scenario
A well-educated, professional couple you know has a daughter who was diagnosed
with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) when she was two years old. Soon after, they
confided in you that their doctors offered them little hope, and that they have been
looking everywhere for a cure. They recently told you that they have started treating
her with Miracle Mineral Solution (MMS).
The mother said that she was a bit concerned at the beginning because their daughter
“cried really hard” when she was given her treatments, but she was glad they persisted
because they had “gotten through the worst of it”. The husband said that they should
never have doubted MMS because the web sites show that it is safe, has worked for
lots of people, and that all they need to do is to keep following the treatment
protocols. He had faith in them because they were developed by a highly respected
scientist “who knows more about ASD than those other doctors”.
However, you became somewhat sceptical and concerned because when you press
them they are not clear about the how MMS is supposed to cure ASD, and because
you have not noticed any improvement in their daughter’s behaviour or capabilities.
After reviewing the evidence for yourself, you conclude that MMS is scientifically
unproven as a treatment for ASD. However, unlike other more benign forms of
alternative medicine, the MMS treatment protocols have the potential to cause serious
harm in children.
You put these things to your friends and they are not happy. They respond with the
counter arguments typically used by supporters of MMS in situations like this, “the
pharmaceutical industry is spreading misinformation about the safety of MMS and
blocking scientific research that will prove its effectiveness in order to protect its
profits”. They end the conversation by saying that “we’ve done a lot of research, it’s
safe, it’s the best available treatment, our daughter is getting better, and no amount of
rhetoric from MMS detractors can take that away”.
Question
What cognitive biases might explain the couple’s belief that MMS is a safe and
effective treatment for their daughter’s ASD, and their reactions to your conversations
in this scenario?
When answering this question, please note the following.
 There is a 400 word limit for this answer (excluding the reference list), and
markers will not read beyond this.
 Write clearly in an appropriate academic style.
 There are many cognitive biases, include those that are most relevant to the
scenario.
 Clearly explain each cognitive bias you include.
 Link each cognitive bias you include to specific features of the scenario.
 Many cognitive biases have been discussed in unit resources, others can be
found by searching the academic literature.

 Support each cognitive bias you include with a citation.
 You can cite from unit resources (e.g. lecture slides or unit readings, etc.), but
the use of additional peer-reviewed sources is desirable.
 Provide a reference list for all sources you cite, and use APA style for both the
reference list and for in-text citations.
 A link to an APA style guide is provided in the Assessment section of the
sped102 ilearn site, and other resources can be found on the internet (e.g.
google “how to cite a lecture in APA”).
Please type the EXACT length of your answer (excluding reference list) in the
following box:
460
The presence of cognitive biases in the case study
While going for an analysis of the cognitive biases that are reflecting in the present
case study, we identify three human characters. They are the mother, father, and
friend. The notes of the case study suggest that the mother is suffering from
“Hindsight Bias.” We can confirm it by analyzing her behavior at the juncture when
she says that “they had gotten through the worst of it,” it clearly shows that she is
ignoring the previous knowledge that she was having about the problem. A “hindsight
bias” occurs when a subject tries to erase the past unpleasant memories under the light
of a new unconfirmed solution (Dwyer, 2017). Her behavior also gives us a hint of the
“confirmation bias”, when she shared this information with her husband; it shows the
presence of confirmation bias (Cook et al, 2017).
The derivation of cognitive biases can become a complex business sometimes; it
happens when a subject manifests a behavior caused because of multiple logics taking
the charge of decision-making mechanisms (Cook et al, 2017). This factor can be
seen in the case of husband. Her husband might be suffering from “sunk cost fallacy.”
As an expert a person can see that he is trying to justify his investment by taking a
resort in the opinion of others. The presence of “In-group” bias is also present in his

behavior. Under this type of bias an individual tries to justify a wrong point or
unconfirmed point by taking a resort in the popular beliefs or the beliefs of a group.
The “In group” error escalates further in this case when a subject casts a deeper look
upon the opinions of the friends. In the present case we can clearly say that the friends
are suffering from “fundamental attribution error (Cook et al, 2017).” This type of
error forces a subject to go for undue comparisons and raises disbeliefs on the
adequacy of certain systems. In order to establish “fundamental attribution error” a
term from the medical science can be discussed. This term is related to the
procurement of “evidence-based practices.” Authorities like FDA first examine a
solution on the merits of EBP and then confirms. In the present case the opinion of the
friends where they are saying that “pharmaceutical companies are discouraging new
medicines,” shows the presence of “fundamental attribution error” caused by an
“availability Heuristic”. None of the friends are worried about the presence of EBP
with MSM and this absence of information is giving rise to bias.
TYPE YOUR REFERENCES FOR PART 1 IN THIS BOX
References
Cook, J. & Lewandowsky, S. (2011). The debunking handbook. St. Lucia, Australia:
University of Queensland. Retrieved from
http://www.skepticalscience.com/docs/Debunking_Handbook.pdf. Accessed 7-9-
2019.
Dwyer, C.P. (2017). Critical thinking: Conceptual perspectives and practical
guidelines. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press

PART 2
You are required to examine and analyse the following web site for features or claims
that are consistent with the characteristics of a scientific approach AND/OR
characteristic of pseudoscience or represent red flags.
https://www.shopbodyvibes.com/
When answering this question, please note the following.
 There is an 800 word limit for this answer (excluding the reference list), and
markers will not read beyond this.
 Write clearly in an appropriate academic style.
 For each feature or claim you include, explain the relevant characteristic of
science, pseudoscience or red flag it represents.
 Many characteristics of science, pseudoscience or red flags have been
discussed in unit resources, others can be found by searching the academic
literature.
 Support your argument in relation to the characteristics of science,
pseudoscience or red flags you include with a citation.
 You can cite from unit resources (e.g. lecture slides or unit readings, etc.), but
the use of additional peer-reviewed sources is desirable.
 Provide a reference list for all sources you cite, and use APA style for both the
reference list and for in-text citations.
 A link to an APA style guide is provided in the Assessment section of the
sped102 ilearn site, and other resources can be found on the internet (e.g.
google “how to cite a lecture in APA”).
Please type the EXACT length of your answer (excluding reference list) in the
following box:
888
Red vibes stickers offering a questionable therapy
The primary evaluation of body vibe helps us in identifying the involvement of three
different fractions involved in the process of therapy. The first fraction belongs to the
“intelligence levels of the prospective users.” The second fraction is constituted by the
promoters and developer of this commercial venture and the third fraction belongs to
the developers of the body vibe stickers.
In terms of medical science, therapies like “red vibe stickers” falls under the category
of “questionable therapies.” The medical associations and the advertisement
regulatory bodies across the world are very strict about the promotion of these

“questionable therapies (Rubestein, 2012).” In order to safeguard the interests of the
consumer's various guidelines related to the “restrictive trade promotion of magical
solutions” are in place. While evaluating this website we cannot raise a single flag on
the claims made by this website because it is selling goods in a public domain and
taking the support of the all the necessary hedges to avoid any direct claims.
When we read between the lines from the point of view of a consumer then many
questions can be raised about the validity of the “cleaver (halfhearted)” claims made
by this website. It seems like the case of the creation of an “Illusory superiority”
created by the promoters of the product (Dwyer, 2018). With the help of this “Illusory
superiority,” the makers tried to cater to various biases of the human mind in favor of
the product (Dweyr, 2018). Since the promoters of the products made it sure that they
are not making any direct claims, as a viewer or a consumer we can also raise some
indirect red flags and bring certain products under the suspicion related to their
deliverance of the promised good or effects (Rubestein, 2012).
From the point of view of a reader, the claims made in this website are an attempt to
cater to the “Forter effect.” The Forter effect signifies the scientific principles and
other practices that have an effect or relevance under ideal or standard conditions
(Dwyer, 2018). The website of Body vibe creates an imagery of a glamorous lifestyle,
a woman taking a bath in a lush bathtub, will certainly feel relaxed because of the
ambiance, this is also the condition where she is not under any kind of stress. Suppose
she uses a body vibe sticker on her body during one such bath then it may have its
additional impact on the good state of the women. However, the results of the same
product may vary when the same woman is driving a truck. The stress levels will be
on a high and this time the product might become ineffective. It also means that the
validity of the products is under question when we see them in a universal context.

Any FDA approved therapy or medicine always describes its limitations and the
contexts (Rubestein, 2012).
In the case of body vibes we can examine the lack of the context with the help of
another example, the literature of the product claims that every cell present in the
human body generates electricity, it is a scientifically proven fact the impact of this
electricity is scientifically proven. However, when we check the claims made by the
product under the name of red vibes in the same context we find many loops holes
and information gaps (Dweyr, 2018). For instance, how can be determining that that
Red vibe is generating the same amount of electricity to sooth the muscles, the
promoters behind the site are trying to take an advantage of the Dunning Kruger
effect, with the help of the spell of this effect the promoter of the knowledge, supplies
a greater and advanced form of the knowledge to convince a person who doesn’t have
enough knowledge to examine the facts on the scale of science (Dweyr, 2018).
The promoters of the page also tried to capitalize on the fundamental attribution error.
The tagline where they say “naturally change the way you feel,” presents an
ambiguous statement. If the subject is feeling a natural transformation in the domain
of feeling then why he needs an expensive product that runs on the battery (Rubestein,
2012). In this case the promoters of the product are trying to capitalize on the Forer
effect. This effect deals with the mechanism of the understanding of a person. The
purpose of above-mentioned tagline is associated with the fact that Red vibes don’t
utilize any chemical to soothe the senses of a person. However, the experts are aware
of the fact that internal or external, the causative factor behind a soothing sensation
should follow a certain change in the neural network of the person.
Red Vibes fails in establishing this action mechanism instead of it they tried to create
an ambiance with the help of the website where an “In-group” bias may flourish and

support the sales. The promotion of this product does not promote a pseudoscience; it
tries to capitalize on certain scientific findings by creating biases in the mind of the
readers.
References
Dweyr, C. (2018). Why Do People Rationalise Poor Decisions? Psychology Today,
(Online) Retrieved form: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thoughts-
thinking/201907/why-do-people-rationalise-poor-decisions.Accessed 7-9-
2019.
Dwyer, C. (2018). 12 Common Biases That Affect How We Make Everyday
Decisions. (Online), Retrived from: Psychology Today,
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/thoughts-thinking/201809/12-
common-biases-affect-how-we-make-everyday-decisions. Accessed 7-9-2019.
Rubestein, N. (2012). 50 Warning Signs of Questionable Therapy and Counseling.
Good Therepy, (Online) Retrieved from
:https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/warning-signs-of-bad-therapy/. Accessed:
7-9-2019.