Barry Schwartz (The Choices Worth Having) recently called for a presidential council of psychological advisors. We asked PT's bloggers (blogs.psychologytoday.com) to imagine assembling such a panel.
Wrangling Change
The president needs an adviser in cognitive science who can advise him on harnessing innovation. At the heart of innovation are two ideas that draw on cognitive science: How can we spur the creation of new ideas? How can we create systems within organizations to ensure those ideas are implemented?—Art Markman (Ulterior Motives)
Vice Precedent
I recommend an expert in the evolutionary behavioral sciences. Many social policies fail because they're based on erroneous views of human nature, such as the blank-slate premise. Understanding our biological heritage has important social implications. Many unhealthy behaviors take place not because people lack the relevant information to make better-informed decisions; rather, they're maladaptive instantiations of otherwise adaptive processes.—Gad Saad (Homo Consumericus)
Stimulation Package
I would appoint an expert on happiness. Politicians behave as though increasing wealth will somehow make people happier. Real happiness comes from stable relationships, emotional security, meaningful work, and contact with nature. We also know that relative wealth is more important than absolute wealth. The most miserable people and societies are those with huge inequalities in wealth. If our leaders value real happiness and contentment, they should work toward a more equal society. —Susan Blackmore (Ten Zen Questions)
I recommend at least one clinical or forensic psychologist with expertise on the nature of anger and rage and how they relate to the epidemic of violent acts such as the Virginia Tech shooting. Until we as a society start to deal more constructively with the festering anger underlying so many mental disorders and violent behaviors, these tragic events will likely continue. —Stephen Diamond (Evil Deeds)
Play Nice
Students with better social and emotional skills not only perform better academically but are also mentally healthier and better adjusted socially. I recommend an expert who specializes in emotional intelligence, who could advise on educational issues and also broader questions, such as how to use emotions to make effective decisions. —Allison Holzer (Find Your Bliss)
Checks and Balances
I would put at least one philosopher on the committee. Her job would be to check for reasoning fallacies coming from the psychologists. And, of course, I would add a psychologist whose job would be to examine the biased, self-serving arguments made by this philosopher. —Edouard Machery (Experiments in Philosophy)
Blogging The Controversy
Two PT bloggers disagreed about including creationism in curricula:
Satoshi Kanazawa: (The Scientific Fundamentalist): "No one who has a better idea or product is ever afraid of an open competition. So why are scientists trying to suppress teaching intelligent design in schools?"
Steve Livingston: (Bias and Its Tinted Lens): "The intelligent design movement will not fight fairly, because a fair fight is not one they can win. By giving them an inch, you create a milestone."
Tags:
adaptive processes,
anger management,
Barry Schwartz,
biological heritage,
blank slate,
cognitive science,
emotional security,
forensic psychologist,
instantiations,
psychologytoday,
relative wealth,
social implications,
stable relationships,
susan blackmore,
ulterior motives,
unhealthy behaviors,
violent acts,
violent behaviors,
virginia tech shooting,
zen questions
