D Psychology in the news

In this appendix, I’m going to add psychology-related articles that I came across in the news and found worth reading. If you have questions or comments about any of these, feel free to post them on the Moodle forum.

D.1 2021/22

Pinker’s progress: the celebrity scientist at the centre of the culture wars | Steven Pinker | The Guardian

  • Pinker is a highly influential, if somewhat controversial (see article), cognitive scientist. Read this if you’re interested in: the role of science and empiricism in society and politics, New Optimism (also see this critical look at New Optimism)

Should scientists run the country? | Science | The Guardian

  • Read this if you’re interested in the relationship between science, society and politics.

Woman successfully treated for depression with electrical brain implant | Depression | The Guardian

  • Read this if you’re interested in personalised medicine, new depression treatments and the mind-body problem.

The big idea: Is it your personality, or a disorder? | Books | The Guardian

  • A critical look at diagnostic labels. Read this if you’re interested in clinical and/or developmental psychology.

The dawn of tappigraphy: does your smartphone know how you feel before you do? | Smartphones | The Guardian

  • Read this if you’re interested in how data from smartphone interactions could be used to identify mental health issues.

‘Our notion of privacy will be useless’: what happens if technology learns to read our minds? | Technology | The Guardian

  • Read this if you’re interested in “mind reading” and associated ethical issues. I side with Adrian Carter.