The Skeptical Psychologist

Investigating questionable, controversial, and novel claims in psychology.

Scott Lilienfeld is a psychology professor at Emory University in Atlanta and co-author of several books on pseudoscience in psychology. See full bio

August 3, 2009

The Rorschach-Wikipedia Kerfuffle Continues

People's reactions to the posting of the inkblots provides something of a Rorschach test itself. Read More

July 21, 2009

The Polygraph Test Strikes – and Strikes Out – Again

Is the polygraph test an infallible detector of the truth? Hollywood portrayals aside, the answer is an unambiguous no. And I'm not lying. Read More

July 7, 2009

Michael Jackson, Truth Serum, and False Memories

I do not know whether Michael Jackson ever molested a child. I do know, however, that recent press coverage of the sexual abuse charges against Jackson has typically omitted one crucial fact. Read More

June 29, 2009

Recent Negative Findings for Gene-Environment Interaction in Depression Impart Useful Lessons

Recent negative findings regarding the genetic and environmental influences on depression may have left some discouraged. But these findings show psychological science working at its best - and highlight a rare case in which the news media got things right. Read More

June 19, 2009

Is Positive Psychology For Everyone? New Research Raises Doubts

New research raises further doubts about the widespread claim that "accentuating the positive" works for everyone. In fact, for some people, positive thinking may even backfire. Read More

May 31, 2009

The Autism Fad Parade Continues

We've recently witnessed yet another new entry into the seemingly never-ending parade of autism fads - Lupron. Will the fate of this one be any different from the others? There is ample reason for skepticism. Read More

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