Social Science and Science Journalism (with Jesse Singal)

Apr 7, 2021 1h 2m 16 insights Episode Page ↗
Spencer Greenberg and Jesse Singal, author of "The Quick Fix," discuss the replication crisis and open science movement in psychology, critiquing overhyped findings like power posing and implicit bias, and exploring how to improve scientific rigor and communication.
Actionable Insights

1. Use MindEase for Calm

If feeling stressed or anxious, download the free MindEase app (MindEase.io) to use scientifically proven, interactive exercises for quick relief and to track what works for you.

2. Consider CBT for Mental Health

For depression or anxiety, explore evidence-based individual psychological interventions like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which can be administered with a therapist or self-administered.

3. Assess Intervention Cost & Risk

When considering any intervention, weigh its cost (lower cost means a lower bar for effect size) and its risk of harm (higher risk demands a higher standard of evidence).

4. Double-Check Common Sense Violations

Be extra skeptical and thoroughly verify scientific claims that strongly contradict common sense, as these warrant additional scrutiny to ensure reliability.

5. Understand Problem’s Causal Structure

Before designing solutions, deeply investigate the causal structure of a problem to create targeted interventions that are more likely to be effective and well-grounded.

6. Adopt Multi-Faceted Behavior Change

For real-world behavior change, avoid “quick tricks” and instead combine multiple strategies, pay close attention to context, and iterate based on results for greater effectiveness.

7. Focus on Systemic Solutions

For complex societal problems like inequality or racism, prioritize systemic and structural interventions over individual “tweaks,” as the latter are unlikely to yield significant progress.

8. Report Beyond Single Studies

Journalists should reduce coverage of single studies and instead focus on broader scientific trends, the replication crisis, and methodological reforms to improve public understanding.

9. Implement Open Science Practices

Scientists should adopt open science practices like pre-registration and registered reports to publicly commit to research plans and publish results regardless of outcome, reducing bias.

10. Publish Null Results Strategically

Scientists should submit simple null results to databases, and publish null results in journals if they contradict widely believed findings, to prevent publication bias.

11. Verify Pre-registration Plans

The scientific community should actively check pre-registration plans against published results to ensure adherence to stated methods and uphold research integrity.

12. Deepen Research Methods Training

Academic institutions should provide more thorough training in research methods and statistics to help scientists avoid questionable practices and improve overall research quality.

13. Collaborate Across Disciplines

Researchers should engage in cross-disciplinary collaborations (e.g., with sociology, anthropology, political science) to bring greater richness and depth to their studies.

14. Embrace Criticality in Professions

Journalists and academics should cultivate a contrarian and confrontational attitude, prioritizing accuracy and truth-seeking over civility when critiquing authority or flawed research.

15. Try Power Posing

Consider trying power poses before a talk or presentation; while not life-changing for most, some individuals may find it provides a helpful boost in confidence.

16. Avoid Overstated Scientific Claims

Social psychologists should avoid using self-help language or overstating modest lab effects as “rewiring the brain,” to maintain scientific integrity and prevent misleading the public.