Public perceptions of psychology

摘要

Eighteen months ago, the clinical psychologist Scott Lilienfeld published a clarion call in the American Psychologist about scepticism towards psychology (see News, August 2011; tinyurl.com/ news0812). He reminded us of data showing the widespread public belief that psychology is not a proper science. He also diagnosed the causes, including people's overconfidence in their understanding of psychological concepts, and the high media profile of pseudoscientific quacks. Now the issue has been revisited with publication of three commentaries on Lilienfeld's article (tinyurl.com/byfpz58).