Exploring-Psychology: Literary Guide For Psychologists

Friday, September 9, 2011

Literary Guide For Psychologists

This (just for fun) literary guide for psychologists by Milton Hodge from the University of Georgia was originally published in 1962. Hodge explained the reason for the guide, along with a call to action as follows:

Recently, while visiting another science laboratory at my institution, I was given a glossary of phrases commonly used in scientific reports. Because I am sure that all psychologists who read and write research reports are interested in maximizing "communication," I cheerfully offer an abridged guide for use with psychological literature. Perhaps other psychologists can suggest additional definitions which will increase our enlightenment.

What Was Said

It has long been known that...

What Was Meant

I haven't bothered to look up the original reference but...

What Was Said

Of great theoretical and practical importance...

What Was Meant

Interesting to me.

What Was Said

While it has not been possible to provide definite answers to these questions...

What Was Meant

The experiement didn't work out, but I figured I could at least get a publication out of it.

What Was Said

The operant conditioning technique was chosen to study the problem...

What Was Meant

The fellow in the next lab already had the equipment set up.

What Was Said

Three of the subjects were chosen for detailed study...

What Was Meant

The results on the others didn't make sense.

What Was Said

Typical results are shown...

What Was Meant

The best results are shown...

What Was Said

It is suggested...It is believed that...It may be that...

What Was Meant

I think.

What Was Said

It is generally believed that...

What Was Meant

A couple of other people think so too.

What Was Said

It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding...

What Was Meant

I don't understand it.

What Was Said

Correct within an order of magnitude...

What Was Meant

Wrong.

What Was Said

Thanks are due to Joe Glotz for assistance with the experiments and to John Doe for valuable discussion.

What Was Meant

Glotz did the work and Joe explained what it meant.

Wonder if anybody can think of some more examples to add to the list?

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