Science and Pseudoscience in Clinical Psychology

• Scientific Clinical Science


  • Claims tested empirically
  • Measurement strategies standardized, reliable, valid, useful
  • Findings replicated independently
  • Strength of claims reflects strength of evidence
• Pseudoscientific Clinical Psychology


  • Resistance to rigorous evaluation of claims
  • Over Reliance on testimonial and anecdotal evidence
  • Emphasis on confirmation rather than refutation of claims
• Potential Remedies


  • Asking two question to avoid being duped
  • Formal training in critical thinking skills
  • Identifying/publishing info on empirically supported and unsupported
  • Educating stakeholders (everyone)
• Clinical Science Challenges


  Pseudoscience more prevalent than clinical science

  Empirical evidence often discarded

  Overstatement of understanding, precision, accuracy, and effectiveness