Psychology Discussion Forum 1.3: Personal Reflections on Psychology

This discussion forum post addresses surprising and counterintuitive topics presented in Chapter 1 of a psychology textbook. The student reflects on the surprising nature of beliefs in astrology and psychic readings, contrasting them with the importance of empirical evidence. The student shares personal experiences and acknowledges a shift in perspective. The post also discusses study habits, specifically the ineffectiveness of solely reading and rereading materials. The student contrasts this with the 3R technique (Read, Recite, Review) and expresses an intention to adopt this method. The post concludes with a reference to the textbook used for the discussion. The student's willingness to change behavior based on newfound information highlights the core of the discussion.

Discussion Forum 1.3
Many of the topics in Chapter 1 of your eText are counterintuitive and surprising. Name a
couple of them and explain why you find them surprising. Will this newfound information be
sufficient to change your behavior?
1. If you have romantic difficulties, an astrologer may advise you to choose an Aries instead of an Aquarius as your
next love and a “past-lives channeler” may say it’s because you were jilted in a former life. Belief in these
unscientific approaches is widespread, even in scientifically advanced countries.
Yet, whenever the claims of psychics and astrologers are put to the test, those claims turn out to be so vague as to
be meaningless (“Spirituality will increase next year”) or just plain wrong.
To answer this question, I will……. Growing up within a culture where my family, friends and social
environment embraced psychic readings and soothsayers as an everyday part of life decisions when it
came to relationships, finances and religion it was confusing to say the least that much of this was based
on hocus pocus…..Always believed in everything that my immediate family as well as extended family
said. Without Questions!
Will this newfound information be sufficient to change your behavior? Absolutely! I have since
changed by views from those of my immediate family and social environment. Life has truly taught me
the hard way about “Empirical Evidence” in more ways than one.
2. How do you study? If you are like most students, your favorite strategy is to read the textbook and your notes
and then read them again. You may think that reading and rereading is the best way to learn.
It is not.
Secret #1: Use the 3R technique: Read, Recite, Review
 Read a section of the chapter. Then close the book and hide your notes
 Recite (speak aloud) everything you can remember about what you’ve just read. You don’t need fancy
equipment. You can recite to yourself, to a friend, to your cat, or even to your coffee mug or a plant in your
room
 Review the section by reading it again to correct anything you got wrong, or to revisit important information
that you overlooked, when you recited.
To answer this question, I will……. I have been reading, reading, reading and rereading as a form of effective
studying habits all of my life. This form of studying was introduce to me as a kid in grammar school by my teachers
as well as my parents, so I assumed that it must be the best way to learn and to past test.
Will this newfound information be sufficient to change your behavior? Most definitely…….Starting today!
Reference:
Pearson Psychology Seventh(7) Edition - https://view.ebookplus.pearsoncmg.com/ebook/launcheText.do?
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