PSYCHSOC DEBATE- "Psychology: Science or Pseudoscience?"‏ P2

WHAT: Psychology Prof Jim Kehoe vs Psychology critic Dr Peter Slezak

WHEN: Thursday 3rd April, 4-5pm

WHERE: Level 10, Mathews Building staff room

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Last year Peter Slezak led a Psychsoc Forum "Is Psychology a Pseudoscience?" and some suggested a debate between Peter and someone from the faculty would be good. So here it is. Peter suggests that psychology is not as "hard" a science as physics or chemistry and that psychologists have "physics envy". Prof Jim Kehoe will be defending psychology as a mainstream science. Expect to be educated and entertained. The speakers will both have 15 minutes and then the floor will be opened so anyone can get into the ring!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• psychology
• debate
• Jim
• Kehoe
• Peter
• Slezak
• Pseudoscience
• science
• psychologists
• UNSW
• university

[mekes12]

@MrGrevy I am admittedly sour on PsyD's as I had major sleep problems and was told and I quote to: 1) masterbate with videos and magazines before bed. 2nd person told me....2) float in water since this is equivalent to 5 hours of REM sleep. 3) made a sleep tape that was so hilarious that I actually laughed so hard that i couldn't get to sleep. In my experience, this was not science and more of grouping in the dark. I was so tired, I ran thru a red light and that was when I said enough.

[MrGrevy]

@mekes12 I see what you're saying. Makes sense. Resources are thin though and it seems common that psychiatrists are not that involved except for prescribing...the therapy is usually done by other mental health professionals in my experience.

[mekes12]

@MrGrevy In my message, I said, "why not get CBT and Meds from a real Doctor?" I think CBT has many limits and variables. A PsyD may not be skilled, may not have the biological, genetic component and the patient dangerously suffers, many things need to happen in the patients life. I think it is risky to rely on CBT alone. Yet, the slimy PsyD's will have you go and go until the patient's health may be really compromised. A real MD for my money trumps a PsyD who can only hope to prescribe.

[mekes12]

@MrGrevy By studies conducted by the APA I am sure. why not go to a real MD who can do both? I don't see many people get better with talk therapy alone. Even the PsyD's or PsySleaze say, "CBT and meds together is highly effective." That med piece must be there. If your daughter had major depression....would you trust a PsyD with her life? Would you not want both the "infallable" CBT PLUS MEDS? I can go to an LPC, PsyD, and EDD, a social worker. Must be hard to do, states really regulate.

[MrGrevy]

@mekes12 Actually you're wrong on that point. Cbt does alter brain chemistry and has been shown to be as effective as psychotropic meds.

[mekes12]

@MrGrevy I am not aware that CBT can alter brain chemistry therefore for someone with depression, anxiety, or other serious brain disorders...see a real MD, aka psychiatrist. he can do CBT and prescribe necessary meds. A PsyD is only guessing at the answers. One I know has kids draw pictures and then goes over them the next session. What a freaking scam. The quote, "I get two sessions this way."

[MrGrevy]

@mekes12 How would you account for the effectiveness of cbt?

[mekes12]

I think it is hilarious that psychologists have fooled people into believing they offer real science and solutions to their problems. Consider a masters level psychologist, an EDD, a PsyD, Licensed Social Worker, LPC can all bill insurance and offer "psychotherapy". What does this say about this profession? I say John Stossel should do an investigative report. They feed on folks that are not well and maybe not well informed. They prey on the weak. It's a racket. Psycho-babble.

[mekes12]

I love this one. Poor grandmother wants her grandson to have the best possbile education. Of course the PsyD is Johnny on the Spot and he offers up immediate testing in IQ, processing speed, ADD scales, etc. He charges the woman $1300 for these tests. I asked a school psychologist what this should cost and he said about $300-400. She brings these sterile pieces of paper to us and says....look at the Doctor's reports. We nearly fell over when she quoted the price for this swill. Scam!!!

[mekes12]

psychologist #2 told me to use a float tank at $50 per session claiming this was equal to 5 hours of REM sleep. I kept going at their insistence that a break through was imminent. One day due to my sleep deprivation, I ran thru a stop light at a 4 way intersection. This was the day, I went to a real Doctor to address the problem. The PsyD's didn't care about me....they wanted my $80. Jerking off, sleep tapes, and float tanks are all so very weak. Be real. It's not science.