The Sociology of Science

Science journalist Jesse Singal joins me on the show to talk about the dangers of fad psychology, including myths and misconceptions about positive psychology, the self-esteem movement, deceptive media coverage of popular behavioral science research, the replication crisis in academic psychology, and more.

Show Notes

Here are some of the highlights from our conversation:

• Jonathan Haidt and moral foundations theory
• Misleading statistics and external validity
• The problems with self-esteem and the self-esteem movement
• Self-efficacy vs Self-esteem
• Carol Dweck and growth mindset
• Effect size in research
• Martin Seligman Positive Psychology
• Preventative mental health
• Opportunity cost in mental health
• Structural factors impacting mental health
• Grit
• Comprehensive Soldier Fitness
• The replication crisis in psychology
• The file drawer effect
• Falsification
• 10% Happier by Dan Harris
• Positive Thinking for People Who had Positive Thinking by Oliver Burkeman

You can learn more about Jesse and his work here:

• The Quick Fix: Why Fad Psychology Can’t Cure Our Social Ills (Book)
• JesseSingal.substack.com (Newsletter)
• Blocked and Reported (Podcast)

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