Stuart Ritchie

Dr. Stuart Ritchie, a psychologist and science communicator, unpacks the contentious world of behavioral genetics. He delves into why this field garners public disdain, especially regarding its implications for intelligence and personality. Ritchie also discusses the complexities of genetic and environmental interactions in education, critiques the replication crisis in psychology, and examines the expectation effect on mental health treatments. Expect a thought-provoking conversation about science, skepticism, and the nuanced interplay of genetics and society.

This week we have an engaging interview with the scientist, author, and public science communicator Stuart Ritchie. Stuart wrote the excellent 'Science Fictions: Exposing Fraud, Bias, Negligence and Hype in Science' and is a prolific advocate fr better science and more nuanced public discourse.In this episode we start of by discussing Stuart's recently published review of Bret Weinstein and Heather Heying's new book 'A Hunter Gatherer's Guide to the 21st Century'. Was Stuart a fan and is now an acolyte of Weinsteinian lineage theory? Tune in to find out.Also, for those who enjoy 'challenging conversations', robust discourse, and regularly shop in the marketplace of ideas, there is an extended discussion on whether we have been a little bit too kind on the government and public health institutions. Stuart uses facts and logic and attempts to DESTROY us, so come and get your well earned vicarious catharsis but be prepared for plenty of postmodern deflection. We've learned from the best.LinksStuart's Review of Bret & Heather's new book at the GuardianWebsite for Stuart's (Excellent) Book: Science FictionsAnti-Virus: The Covid 19 FAQ Website'How the Experts Messed up on Covid' at Unherd by Stuart & Michael Story'How Covid Skeptics were duped by the Wonderdrug Ivermectin' at New Statesman by StuartChris' Tweet-thread Chapter by Chapter review of Stuart's Book (use the hashtags to find the rest)Kevin Bird's Tweet with an extract from B&H's bookThis Week's SponsorCheck out the sponsor of this week's episode, Ground News, and get the app at ground.news/gurus.

Joining the discussion are Robert Plomin, a behavioral genetics expert; Susan Pawlby, a developmental psychologist; Ann Pleshette Murphy, a parenting counselor; and Stuart Ritchie, a social genetics lecturer. They delve into the hotly debated topic of parenting's influence versus genetic factors in child development. The conversation highlights key insights from twin studies, the importance of nurturing environments, and the psychological aspects of parenting. Ultimately, they challenge conventional narratives and urge parents to embrace their children's unique traits while focusing on love and support.

Stuart Ritchie, a researcher at the University of Edinburgh, leads a replication study of Daryl Bem's controversial work on psychic phenomena. They dive into the challenges of validating claims about retroactive influence and the importance of replication in psychology. Ritchie discusses how memory tests provide insight into human recall and the ongoing debate surrounding parapsychology. The conversation emphasizes the necessity of methodological transparency and critical thinking when evaluating such extraordinary claims.

This discussion features Robert Plomin, a behavioural genetics professor from King's College London, and Susan Pawlby, a developmental psychologist, alongside therapist Ann Pleshette Murphy and genetic psychiatry expert Stuart Ritchie. They challenge traditional views on parenting's role in shaping children, arguing that genetics often holds more sway. Love and attachment are highlighted as pivotal to development, while socioeconomic factors and parenting styles complicate the narrative. The debate encourages a nuanced understanding of the balance between nature and nurture.

Stuart Ritchie, a Lecturer at King's College London specializing in human cognitive abilities, dives into pressing issues in science's credibility. He discusses the drastic decline of trust in scientific findings during COVID-19, attributing it to political factors and flawed studies. Ritchie explores the contentious debates over ivermectin and the complexities of vitamin D research, highlighting the challenges of reaching scientific consensus. He also unpacks the nuances of IQ testing, advocating for a broader understanding of intelligence that considers various cognitive factors.

Robin Dunbar, Emeritus Professor of Evolutionary Psychology, discusses his insights on the evolution of religion and humanity’s innate need for belief. He explains Dunbar's number and how it shapes social connections while emphasizing religion's role in fostering community cohesion. Stuart Ritchie, from King's College London, joins him to explore the psychological and social aspects of faith, the evolution of religious structures in society, and the impact of rituals on social bonding, revealing intriguing connections between religion, community, and human behavior.

In this debate, esteemed experts Robert Plowman, a behavioral genetics professor, Susan Pawlby, a developmental psychologist, Stuart Ritchie, a lecturer in developmental psychiatry, and therapist Anne Plachetka Murphy tackle the controversial question of parenting's role in child development. They explore the dominance of genetics versus nurturing and make a case for free-range parenting. The discussion highlights how emotional support and active parental engagement can profoundly impact children’s neurodevelopment, challenging the notion that parenting doesn’t matter.

Stuart Ritchie, a lecturer at King’s College London and author of "Science Fictions," tackles the troubling landscape of misconduct in scientific research. He discusses how hype around bad studies overshadows significant findings, and how flawed incentives can lead to fraud. Ritchie emphasizes the importance of spotting bad science and advocates for the Open Science movement as a remedy. He also reveals the dangers of biases in peer review and historical misuses of science in totalitarian regimes, calling for more transparency and accountability in research.

Stuart Ritchie, a professor of psychology, discusses how the scientific enterprise falls short of its truth-seeking ideals due to systemic issues. He exposes unreliable, exaggerated, and fraudulent papers that influence widely accepted theories and claims. Ritchie highlights the biases introduced by even well-meaning scientists and the inadequate training they receive. The discussion covers the replication crisis, data manipulation, media hype, unconscious priming, the issue of replication, statistical analysis, and the role of open science in combating fraud and bias in the scientific community.