Question

According to Stanovich (2010), case studies and testimonials stand as isolated phenomena. They lack the comparative information necessary to prove that a particular theory or therapy is superior. However, it is wrong to cite a testimonial or a case study as a support for a particular theory or therapy. What might have happened in science if a psychologist or an individual cite a testimonial or a case study as a support for a particular theory or therapy? why, why not?

Answer 1

Case studies and testimonials stand as isolated phenomena. They basically do not provide the comparative information which is necessary for validating the superior nature of a praticular theory or therarpy. People who do so deceive the public by not informing them about the presence of evidence which is open to a broad range of alternative explanation. Therefore, the isolated illustration of a phenomena may led to a situation which is very deceptive. This can be demostrated more precisely with the example of placebo effect.

In 1996, a study was conducted with a group of people to test a painkiller called Trivaricaine. On one of their index finger, the new painkiller was applied while the other one was left untouched. Then both the fingers were squeezed in painful clamps. Their the people said that the treated finger hurt less than the untreated one but actually Trivaricaine wasn't a painkiller it had no pain-reducing properties in it. This is what we call the placebo effect.

The tendency of people to feel that the treatment has helped them without knowing about its actual therapeutic element is called placebo effect. Its a phenomena wherein durgs, treatments and medicines that aren't supposed to have an effect make people feel better. In order to look real, placebo effect copy the ways of real treatment, so they took the form of water filled injections , sugar pills etc.. Nowadays, its very uncommon to use placebo effect because of the ethical concerns and also keeping in mind the value of human life.

Humans have a tendency of accepting vague and general characterization about themselves, this is called P.T. Barnum effect. Examples are, palm readers, Horoscopes..etc... There a number of practices and beliefs that are considered to be based on scientific method which is wrong..like..thinking positively will ot cure your cancer.